How a 17th-century French song finds new life in a medieval tapestry room
In short: Jazz vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant performs a reimagined Baroque air de cour within the Unicorn Tapestries Room at The Met Cloisters. This digital-exclusive session explores the intersection of historical musical styles, mythological storytelling, and the enduring themes of love and longing.
The performance features 'D’un feu secret,' a composition by the 17th-century French royal music master Michel Lambert (1610–1696). Salvant, who is also a textile artist, draws inspiration from the Unicorn Tapestries, a setting that mirrors her own interest in mythical creatures and fantastical narratives, such as her 2018 work 'Ogresse.'
In this arrangement, Salvant is accompanied by a theorbo and a harpsichord—the latter played by Sullivan Fortner in his debut on the instrument. The piece captures the quintessential essence of the air de cour style, reflecting on the paradox of romantic suffering where the 'disease' of love is preferred over any potential remedy.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Cécile McLorin Salvant at The Met Cloisters: D’un feu secret | MetLiveArts
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