Kate Macoboy

Interests: music, soprano, Renaissance

Kate Macoboy, an Australian soprano, has built a distinguished career as both an ensemble singer and a solo artist. Her performances span a wide array of musical genres, and she has showcased her talents across the UK, Europe, and Australia, working both independently and with notable choirs such as Ars Nova Copenhagen and Chamber Choir Ireland, guided by Paul Hillier. In London, she is a frequent contributor to several professional church choirs and has collaborated with Theatre of Voices and the Danish National Vocal Ensemble.

Her involvement with Theatre of Voices includes her role in the debut of Jóhann Jóhannsson’s Last and First Men, a multimedia presentation for two sopranos, orchestra, electronics, and live film. In 2010, she earned a Masters degree specializing in Advanced Vocal Ensemble Studies at the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, benefiting from a scholarship.

Robert Meunier

Interests: music, lute, Renaissance

Before embarking on formal music education at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Robert Meunier was a guitarist in a Toronto-based band. He later earned a diploma in lute performance from the Royal College of Music in London, UK. With over three decades of experience, Meunier has excelled as a lutenist and musical director, dedicating his career to the study and performance of early Italian Renaissance songs and solo lute music. His teaching career is complemented by his recordings for notable labels such as Chandos, CRD, and BIS, and his contributions to radio and television, including appearances on CBC and BBC, where he featured in programs for BBC Radio 3 about Tromboncino and Isabela d'Este.

Meunier's performances have taken him across Europe and North America, where he has played both solo and with esteemed ensembles at major music festivals. He has a keen interest in exploring the intersections between music, visual arts, and poetry, often performing in the unique settings of 'Old Master Galleries', focusing on solo lute songs and lute music. He has also contributed articles to classical music magazines, including discussions on innovative approaches to Italian Renaissance songs and their acclaimed music video on Michelangelo's madrigal, which was included in the feature film 'Michelangelo – Love and Death' produced by Seventh Art Productions.

Renaissance music

Our Italian Renaissance Music

Our songs, dating back to around 1500, belong to the vibrant tradition of Italian Renaissance music, initially performed in courts and salons by leading musicians of the time. Before the 1500s, this music circulated in a private, exclusive context without being widely documented. However, the advent of the printing press transformed this, making these compositions accessible through printed songbooks for a broader audience, including talented amateurs. This marked a significant evolution in Renaissance music, despite the challenge posed by the lack of performance instructions in the notation.
Key insights into the performance practices of the era have been preserved thanks to musicians and scholars who authored detailed treatises, offering a blend of theoretical and practical guidance. This period of musical development was closely associated with Isabella d’Este (1474-1539), a paramount cultural figure and patron of the arts at the Mantua court. Renowned for her support of renowned artists and her profound love for music, d’Este played a crucial role in fostering the Italian song tradition.

Her court became a hub for poets, artists, and musicians, including celebrated composers Bartolomeo Tromboncino and Marchetto Cara, whom she encouraged to document their music. This initiative not only catered to her personal involvement in music but also significantly influenced the preservation and dissemination of Italian Renaissance secular music, leaving a rich legacy that informs contemporary performance practices.