Songs of Lineage
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Songs of Lineage: From Mali to Québec via Europe
In this program, Ensemble Scholastica will feature the medieval music of West Africa. The great musical traditions of countries such as Mali, Guinea and Senegal have their roots in this period. The griots (singers of the Mandingo peoples) had an important role as transmitters of knowledge and ideas and as storytellers, a legacy that continues to this day. The principal work of their repertoire was the accounting of the life and lineage of Soundiata Keita, founder of the Empire of Mali (13th-14th centuries). This great epic recounts a facinating tale that continues to assemble and delight audiences today.
The life, deeds and lineage of leaders were also evoked in the lyrics of European music of the Middle Ages, sometimes in surprising ways. With this programme, we present these two historical traditions side-by-side, finding some common ground and giving our medieval music fans a chance to discover the wonderful sound and rich history of classical Mandingo singing. We have invited a great artist to share the stage with us. Djely Tapa was born in Mali to an illustrious family of griots and has called Montréal her home for 20 years. She was acclaimed as Radio Canada’s 2019-2020 “Révélation” in world music, and received a Juno award for best world music album in 2020. Djely Tapa will be accompanied by her frequent musical partner, the kora player Diely Mori Tounkara.
Songs of Lineage: From Mali to Québec via Europe
In this program, Ensemble Scholastica will feature the medieval music of West Africa. The great musical traditions of countries such as Mali, Guinea and Senegal have their roots in this period. The griots (singers of the Mandingo peoples) had an important role as transmitters of knowledge and ideas and as storytellers, a legacy that continues to this day. The principal work of their repertoire was the accounting of the life and lineage of Soundiata Keita, founder of the Empire of Mali (13th-14th centuries). This great epic recounts a facinating tale that continues to assemble and delight audiences today.
The life, deeds and lineage of leaders were also evoked in the lyrics of European music of the Middle Ages, sometimes in surprising ways. With this programme, we present these two historical traditions side-by-side, finding some common ground and giving our medieval music fans a chance to discover the wonderful sound and rich history of classical Mandingo singing. We have invited a great artist to share the stage with us. Djely Tapa was born in Mali to an illustrious family of griots and has called Montréal her home for 20 years. She was acclaimed as Radio Canada’s 2019-2020 “Révélation” in world music, and received a Juno award for best world music album in 2020. Djely Tapa will be accompanied by her frequent musical partner, the kora player Diely Mori Tounkara.
Ensemble Scholastica
Founded in 2008 by musicologist Pascale Duhamel, Ensemble Scholastica is a group of talented and dedicated vocalists from Montréal’s thriving early music community, some of whom also play medieval instruments. Leading medievalist Rebecca Bain has directed the ensemble since 2012.
Ensemble Scholastica is Canada’s only female vocal ensemble that specializes in the performance of medieval plainchant and polyphony (from the 9th to the 14th century). While our work begins with the study of medieval manuscripts, historical authenticity is not our only objective. Our goal is to share with listeners the beauty and intricacy of medieval music, particularly the medieval liturgical traditions that are at the very root of Western music. We offer our audiences the opportunity to experience the remarkable joy and complexity of European medieval spirituality and culture.
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