Ensemble La Reverdie - Guinevere Yseut Melusine The Heritage of Celtic Womanhood in the Middle Ages

Review by Eva Auguste

Ensemble La Reverdie's latest album, Guinevere Yseut Melusine The Heritage of Celtic Womanhood in the Middle Ages, is a captivating and enchanting collection of medieval music that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Celtic womanhood. The album features a diverse range of musical styles and traditions, including traditional Irish and Scottish ballads, French chansons, and Italian laude, all performed with exquisite skill and sensitivity by the talented musicians of Ensemble La Reverdie.

The album's title refers to three legendary figures from Celtic mythology and medieval literature, each of whom embodies different aspects of the feminine experience. Guinevere, the queen of King Arthur's court, represents the ideal of courtly love and feminine grace. Yseut, the tragic heroine of the Arthurian romance Tristan and Yseut, embodies the power of love and the pain of betrayal. Melusine, a half-human, half-serpent creature from French folklore, symbolizes the mysterious and unknowable aspects of the feminine psyche.

Ensemble La Reverdie's performances are infused with a sense of reverence and respect for the rich cultural traditions they are celebrating. The musicians' virtuosic playing and exquisite vocal harmonies are complemented by the use of period instruments, such as the lute, harp, and vielle, which give the music an authentic and timeless quality.

Summary by Eva Auguste

Guinevere Yseut Melusine The Heritage of Celtic Womanhood in the Middle Ages is an exceptional album that will appeal to anyone with an interest in medieval music, Celtic mythology, or the feminine experience. It is a testament to the enduring power and beauty of these ancient cultural traditions, and a reminder of the important role that women have played in shaping our shared cultural heritage.