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Anonymous 4 sings of earthly Marion, heavenly Marie

Christian Steiner

The acclaimed a cappella ensemble Anonymous 4 returns to Kalamazoo to perform a program of 13th century French music Friday night. 

A joint presentation of Fontana Chamber Arts and the WMU Medieval Institute, the program blends sacred works honoring the Virgin Mary and secular songs about a fetching shepherdess named Marion.

Susan Hellauer talks about the connection between medieval music and modern, and relates how clerics of the middle ages frequently wrote about non-spiritual topics such as flirting, food, and romantic yearnings. She also talks about the look and logic of the Montpelier Codex, the musical manuscript from which Anonymous 4 draws on this program.

Cara Lieurance is the local host of NPR's All Things Considered on 1021 WMUK and covers local arts & culture on Let's Hear It on 89.9 Classical WMUK weekday mornings at 10 - 11 am.
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