A Lover's Discourse

In love, as in music, we find ourselves in a multitude of hazy, transcendental states, neither here nor there.

"We are enchanted, bewitched: we are in the realm of sleep, without sleeping; we are within the voluptuous infantilism of sleepiness: this is the moment for telling stories." So says Roland Barthes in his sweeping and ecstatic examination of human love, A Lover’s Discourse. Join us for a unique and transformative experience, as we pair Barthes’ vivid recitations with madrigals by Monteverdi, Gesualdo and Marenzio, a specially commissioned film by Arms & Legs, and Pippa Murphy’s evocative new score.

Nicholas Mulroy: director & tenor
Pippa Murphy: composer
Arms & Legs: film

Roland Barthes: Excerpts from 'A Lover's Discourse'
Claudio Monteverdi: Rimanti in pace, Anima mia perdona, Ah, dolente partita
Carlo Gesualdo: Ardita zanzarette, Ardo per te, mio bene
Luca Marenzio: Tirsi morir volea, Dolorosi martir
Pippa Murphy: New commission

Presented by Dunedin Consort