April 26, 2006 -

Ottawa, Canada -- The four members of Ensemble La Rota met in the Early Music programme at McGill University, and since 2002 they have gained acclaim for their historically informed and creative presentation of medieval music. Now La Rota will make its Ottawa debut on the 2006 Aber Diamond Debut Series presented by the National Arts Centre and CBC Radio Two on Friday, April 28 at noon in the Foyer of the NAC. The hour-long chamber concert featuring music of the 13th and 14th century is hosted by Eric Friesen and will be broadcast live-to-air on his Radio Two programme Studio Sparks. (Aber Diamond is pronounced “Abber” Diamond).

Admission to the recital is $3.00 with all proceeds going to the NAC Orchestra Bursary Trust Fund. Additional donations to the Fund are greatly appreciated.

PROGRAMME:
Douce dame jolie (Guillaume de Machaut, c.1300-1377)
Amors me fet conmencier (Thibaut de Champagne, 1202-1253)
J'aim sans penser/Quant voi la flor novele (Machaut/attr. Jaque de Cambrai, c.1260-1280)

Los set goyts/Santa Maria amar (Llibre Vemell de Montserrat, anon. 14c Spain/Cantigas de Santa Maria no.7, Alfonso X, 1221-1284)
Saltarello (anon. Italy)

A Madre de Deus (Cantigas No. 51)
Lamento di Tristano (anon. 14c Italy)
Comment qu'a moy (Machaut)

Como somos per consello (Cantigas No. 119)
Non sofre Santa Maria (Cantigas No. 159)

Ensemble La Rota consists of Sarah Barnes (soprano, percussion), Tobie Miller (recorder, hurdy-gurdy, soprano), Émilie Brûlé, (vielle, soprano) and Esteban La Rotta (lute, tenor).

La Rota has met with praise for its rich sound, instrumental virtuosity, and mastery of medieval improvisation since its inception in 2002. In 2005 the ensemble was the winner of both the Jury and People’s Choice Prizes at the CBC Galaxie/Montreal Baroque Competition. Ensemble La Rota has performed extensively throughout Eastern Canada, including a performance at the 2005 Indian River Music Festival. It has also participated in masterclasses and workshops with such notable musicians as Catherine Bott (UK), Drew Minter (United States), Sylvain Bergeron (La Nef, Canada), Anne Azema (France), and Gerard Zuchetto (Troubadours Art Ensemble, France). As finalists in the Early Music Network International Young Artists Competition La Rota recently performed at the York Early Music Festival in England. In 2004 the ensemble appeared in New York City where they were finalists in the Early Music America Medieval/Renaissance Competition.

The Aber Diamond Debut Series showcases talented young musicians from Canada and around the world. The recitals take place in the Foyer of the NAC, and each will be broadcast live-to-air across Canada on Eric Friesen’s afternoon programme Studio Sparks on CBC Radio Two. Radio listeners can tune in from noon to 15:00 to hear the recital at 13:00.

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For more information please contact:
Jane Morris, Communications Officer,
National Arts Centre Orchestra
(613) 947-7000, ext. 335
jmorris@nac-cna.ca

Jill LaForty, CBC Radio National Music Producer
(613) 288-6461
jill_laforty@nac-cna.ca