Scott Metcalfe, director
Jade Guerra and Alessandro Quarta, readers
Six-voice choir

Un Petrarchino cantato: Petrarch’s Canzoniere in Song

Blue Heron’s program is a musical valentine of 16th-century madrigals setting poetry by Francesco Petrarch. The moment the humanist scholar beheld beautiful young Laura in 1327, he was lovestruck, his obsession tormenting and inspiring him even after her death in 1348. In turn, Petarch’s Canzoniere inspired intensely passionate musicthree centuries later. Blue Heron’s eloquent singers perform madrigals by Verdelot, Arcadelt, Willaert, de Rore, Wert, Marenzio, and others, interspersed with readings of Petarch’s poetry.

“The standing ovation and five separate bows proved that the audience did not want this sterling concert [Un Petrarchino cantato] to end. Once more Blue Heron fully upheld its standard of literary and musical excellence.” —Boston Musical Intelligencer

The virtual program becomes available on Sunday, February 26, 4 p.m. ET and remains viewable until March 12.