The group takes its name from Chaucer's description of his Canterbury pilgrims:
That nyght was kom unto to that hostalrye
Wel nine and twenty in a compagnye
Of sondry folk by aventure yfalle
In felawshipe, and pilgrymes were they alle
That toward Caunterbury wolden ryde.
We study mainly the polyphonic music of the 13th to 15th centuries, written before the development of the "modern" system of harmony based on triads. (To us, Lassus and Palestrina are "modern'). Our approach combines the results of modern scholarship with the practice of living polyphonic traditions in Europe today (Liguria, Corsica, Georgia ...). The group performs without a conductor.
No special theoretical background is required of the singers, but good reading ability is desirable. More important are a good musical ear and the willingness to set aside ideas coming from later periods and to approach the music on its own terms.
The Felawshipe currently meets each Wednesday evening in Chris Gray's appartment in the Paleisstraat, Antwerpen, from 20:00 to 22:00. If you are interested in taking part, contact Chris Gray by telephone (0477 599 703) or email (chris.gray@kiffer.be).
Musical director Chris Gray studied music at the University of York, England, specialising in music of the middle ages, and lives in Antwerp since 1983. He sings or has sung with a number of well-known choirs in Flanders. In addition to his university studies and numerous workshops with early music specialists such as Rebecca Stewart, Patrizia Bovi and Nicholas Isherwood, he has also studied with the Compagnia Sacco di Ceriana (Liguria, Italy), and has taken part in the traditional Holy Week celebrations there.