Christ Church Cathedral
Florilegium: Songs of Medieval England
COMTESSA Medieval Ensemble
Artists: Len Torrie, voice, Isabelle Douailly-Backman, medieval fiddle; Maria Gajraj, organetto (Mentored by Benjamin Bagby)
Pre-Concert Chat: 12:30pm hosted by Benjamin Bagby with COMTESSA
Run Time: 60 Minutes, No Interval
Rising medieval ensemble COMTESSA present a program that offers a rare glimpse into the vibrant musical culture of the British isles from 1150 to 1300. The influence of Celtic folk songs and dances, troubadour music, and plainchant is evident in these pieces, which often employ themes of nature and allegory. COMTESSA curates this collection of English medieval songs to follow the lifecycle of a flower. The term “Florilegium,” derived from the Latin words “flos” (flower) and “legere” (to gather), was historically used for treatises on flowers or a compilation of excerpts from other writings, an offshoot of the common placing tradition. These songs, rich in themes of nature, offer a comprehensive overview of the medieval musical landscape in the British Isles. Presented with authentic medieval performance practices and period instruments, this program brings the past vividly to life.
COMTESSA will be presenting this programme following a 4-day mentorship with Benjamin Bagby (Sequentia) sponsored by Elaine Adair and EMV. Benjamin Bagby will be giving a pre-concert chat at 12:30pm.
Generously sponsored by Elaine Adair.
PROGRAMME
Ver • Spring
Sumer is icumen
Veri floris sub figura
Aestas • Summer
[Dance]
Byrd on a brere
Flur de virginité
Flos convallis est egressus
Autumnus • Fall
Mirie it is while sumer ilast
[Estampie]
Scribere proposui
Hiems • Winter
Foweles in Þe frith
Ar ne kuthe
Encore
El tens d’iver
Len Torrie, Voice
Len Torrie is an Ontario-born, soprano and project maker living in Montreal who just completed a master’s degree in early music performance at McGill University under the tutelage of Dominique Labelle. Most recently, Len sang the title role in Charpentier’s oratorio Judith with ensemble Capella Antica and is lead soprano at Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal.
While studying music therapy at Acadia University, Len appeared frequently as a soloist with local ensembles including Symphony Nova Scotia, and was lead soprano of the Manning Chapel Choir from 2014-2018. In 2017, Len was awarded the Canadian Federation of University Women scholarship which funded their participation in Accademia Europea Dell’Opera in Lucca, Italy, where they played Oberto in Handel’s Alcina. This experience motivated Len to pursue a career in performance and upon graduation, Len moved to Montreal to study with soprano Suzie LeBlanc.
Len frequently returns to the Maritimes for solo recitals, collaborations, and residencies. Len also recently completed an artist residency at Banff Arts and Creativity Centre with Canadian tenor Kerry Bursey, as the newly formed early music/folk duo Kalliope. Len is currently exploring the practice of self-accompanying early music on baroque guitar. As a queer, non-binary musician, Len is inspired by the possibility that their queer ancestors had their own musical traditions and that through research, creative speculation, and performance, we can tell a more inclusive and rich story about music and humanity.
Isabelle Douailly-Backman, Medieval Fiddle
Isabelle Douailly-Backman (she/her/they/them) is a Montreal-based historical string player. Originally from Chicago, she moved to Montreal to pursue a degree in modern viola at McGill University. There she discovered a love for early music and has since completed a B.Mus in Baroque Viola and a M.Mus in Baroque Violin from McGill University under the tutelage of Hélène Plouffe and Olivier Brault.
Today, Isabelle frequently performs on baroque violin, viola, and medieval vielle with ensembles and festivals in Canada, including Ensemble Caprice, Arion Baroque Orchestra, Tenet Vocal Artists, L’Harmonie des Saisons, Musique Royale, and Montreal Baroque Festival. She is also currently studying medieval vielle at the prestigious Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland, under the tutelage of Baptiste Romain. She is the artistic director and founder of COMTESSA, an historically-informed ensemble who performs 11th to 15th century music on medieval period instruments. Isabelle is the 2023 recipient of the Barbara Thorton Memorial Scholarship, a biennial scholarship awarded by Early Music America and members of Sequentia to “an outstanding and highly motivated young performer of medieval music.” Isabelle also collaborates outside the early music scene with groups like the queer arts collective Sapphonix.
Maria Gajraj, Organetto
Maria Gajraj is a Montréal-based organist and Doctoral Candidate at McGill University. Her research focuses on 20th-century Caribbean organ repertoire. She is the co-founder of Sapphonix Collective, which promotes women, queer, and racialized classical musicians, and has been featured on CBC Radio. Maria is also the executive director of medieval ensemble COMTESSA, in which she plays organetto.
Maria has performed internationally, at venues like Salle Bourgie, Maison Symphonique, and the Orgelpark (Amsterdam) and in series such as Cal Performances (USA) and Bergen Orgelsommer (Norway). A recipient of the Godfrey Hewitt Scholarship (2022) and other awards, her doctoral research is funded by the FRQ (Fonds de Recherche du Quebec).
In her concert programs, Maria is passionate about highlighting women and composers of colour. As Deirdre Piper wrote in “Pipelines”, Maria’s “spirited, clean, and colourful performance lent real meaningful significance” to this music. By creating engaging concert programs, and by featuring the organ in innovative and multidisciplinary contexts, Maria strives to break stereotypes, and to make the organ more accessible to everyone.
