minstrel: A "new" request for help

[Prof Robert D Madison]

Lady Elisabeth,
     I'm sure you would sound perfectly appropriate singing unaccompanied
ballads.  My own reading suggests that in Elizabethan/Jacobean drama the
preponderance of lute playing also seems to be by women--despite the fact
the the most well-known lute composers and players were men.
   A lute is expensive, but problaby less than a full suit of armor.  And
if you don't feel you have to play at the level of a Dowland you can learn
to accompany yourself fairly easily.

                                  Robert, Clerk of Talbot

 On Fri, 2 Oct 1998, Liz Herman/cozit wrote:

> Greetings, all.
> 
> I've been looking (on and off) for period (or close to it) music that
> can be performed/sung by one person...one *female* person...without it
> sounding odd.  While eventually I could accompany myself with guitar or
> other stringed instrument (guess I can't blow the recorder and sing at
> the same time :-)  right now I don't have access to a "portable"
> instrument.
> 
> The problem is that when I've had opportunity to search for music either
> I've been shown the "ancient music" section in the choral works area,
> and been told that was all they thought they had (and yes this was at a
> *large* publisher's store), or I've found books with music (or verse
> that was once set to music) that was *obviously* sung by men.  Somehow I
> can't see myself singing odes to a Lady's beauty, or singing of the
> desire "I" feel for "My Lady".  Even the few I've come across dealing
> with battles have *something* in them that isn't fit for a Lady to sing
> of.
> 
> I have access to a couple of good University libraries through ILLs, but
> without suggestions, it would be difficult to go through their books
> that way....I've got two children under 3, so going myself it really
> tough right now.
> 
> Can anyone give me some suggestions (preferably non-church...but even
> that would be good) for sources for "period" songs that can be sung
> appropriately by a single female voice.  One day I'll get out to do some
> more research myself, but it'll be a few years probably.
> 
> 
> Any assistance is much appreciated!
> -Elisabeth
> 
> (cozit at adcapex.com)
> 
> 
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