A Day in the Life of the Market
Danny Johnson
“Buy my fine singing Glasses” from The Cryes of the City of London Drawne After the Life, by Marcellus Laroon (London, 1687)
Well, it finally happened; I knew it was coming and just kept putting it off. It was time to go shopping and I knew that pandemonium and chaos would engulf me for a while. But it was necessary. It was necessary to buy some fair bone lace, some cambric, buskins, doublets, and small coals. I also needed to find a cooper and to talk to the town crier about my old lost mare.
It was indeed as loud and unruly as I feared, with all sorts of vendors trying to entice me to buy oysters and haddock and sprats and cowcumbers and marking stones and raspis and … well, the variety was interminable. But — you know, after a while I sorta zoned out and listened to the wonderful harmonies that were being created by all this din and spontaneous vocal advertising. I eventually found all the items I was seeking and gave the crier my notice about my horse. Then I left, went to Wheatsville, and I bought some organic yogurt, some Ceylon cinnamon, an espresso (double), and got some victuals at the deli. Altogether a successful venture.
“Twelve pence a peck oysters” from The Cryes of the City of London Drawne After the Life, by Marcellus Laroon (London, 1687)
I must say I was reminded of this wonderful piece by Richard Dering, The City Cries from the early 17th century, in which he depicts a similar scene at the London street markets in c. 1615. Of course, the vendors don’t all ‘yell/sing’ at the same time; Dering lays the whole thing so you can hear the individual characters, all supported by a consort of viols.
Whoa! Such serendipity! TEMP happens to be performing that piece in its season opener October concert! You should check it out; I hope to be there! It’s also TEMP’s 25th concert season, a momentous occasion! There’s more info below.
I think I’ll go to the market again today. I need to talk to the chimney sweep.
New oysters, anyone?
—Danny
London City Limits: Town & Country
Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 7:30 pm
&
Sunday, October 8, 2023, 3:00 pm
Redeemer Presbyterian Church, 2111 Alexander Avenue
Hosted by Arts on Alexander on the campus of Redeemer Presbyterian Church,
2111 Alexander Ave, Austin, TX 78722.
Visit the Arts on Alexander 2023-2024 events on the AoA website.
Admission $35 general; $30 seniors (60+); $5 students with ID
Tickets available in advance online or by cash, check, or credit card at the door.
For more information, call 512-377-6961 and leave a message,
or email info@early-music.org.
Thanks to boosts from popular culture on television and in movies, more people than ever are aware of and interested in the very important Tudor courts of Henry VIII and his daughter, Elizabeth I. During the time they ruled England—more than 90 years, from 1509 until 1603—England’s influence in the world increased dramatically and English musical and artistic culture became more prominent. Our concert picks up towards the end of Elizabeth’s reign and concludes during the second reign of the House of Stuart, at the end of the 17th century. This repertoire for voices, viols, and lutes fashions a colorful account of life in and around London for almost 100 years. This is music from the streets, the theater, the Tudor courts, and the cathedrals. Also, in honor of the 400th anniversary of the passing of one of Britain’s most important composers, we will have choral pieces by William Byrd (1543–1623).
In those times, shoppers at street markets around the world would have heard various vendors hawking their wares with unique cries and slogans. In the later years of Elizabeth I and beyond, a popular style of composition came about that combined quite a number of these oral advertisements into notable compositions, both comedic and informative, while still being delightful. Richard Dering’s The City Cries presents a full day in the life of the market with more than 70 distinct characters/vendors represented by 13 singers in our performance.
We will have graceful songs and dances from Shakespearean productions and courts, vocal pieces suitable for singing in private homes, and more sophisticated pieces for the professional singers in the courts and cathedrals. These pieces are composed by well-known madrigalists such as Thomas Morley, Thomas Weelkes, Thomas Campion (I detect a trend), and others.
Enjoy these audio teasers from our CD Building Bridges to the Past, which will also be in London City Limits!
A little later in the century, there are the social and political commentary songs, mostly ballads from the Pills to Purge Melancholy, a collection of broadsides and ballads. Some of the poems broach the issue of groups of people who are suppressed in order to elevate other groups, simply because the “powers that be” could, in fact, do so. The most dramatic piece of the concert is probably The Cloak’s Knavery, another ballad that speaks of political malevolence that leads to societal ills.
Although she performs with us so often she could be considered to be a regular, she’s still our special guest: viola da gamba superstar Mary Springfels (New York Pro Musica, Waverly Consort, Sequentia, the Newbury Consort, and more) will lead our consort of viols. Likewise, countertenor/tenor Ryland Angel joins us again and will perform solo and small ensemble works, along with other soloists Jenifer Thyssen, Cayla Cardiff, Jeffrey Jones-Ragona, Jenny Houghton, Adrienne Pedrotti Bingamon, Page Stephens, and others.
Help us celebrate our 25th Season!
Click on the image above to buy tickets now!
Did you enjoy this post? Give us a “like” below, leave a comment, and/or share with friends!