faire la cour à la française - LITERATURE & MUSIC
Courtly Love and the Romance of Tristan and Isolde
On the occasion of Valentine’s day, let’s talk about love! Dr. Ben Obernolte will read some texts and to discuss the theme of ‘l’amour courtois’ in French litterature. Stay afterwards for a wonderful medieval music show from artists Ginna Watson and Julie Elhard!
Few stories have impacted Europe as much as the Romance de Tristan et Iseut. This folktale, which survives in at least 20 medieval versions, exemplifies both courtly love and medieval literary culture. This interactive presentation by Dr Ben Obernolte will introduce the concept of courtly love, medieval literary culture, well-known authors and works from the period and will look specifically at courtly and non-courtly versions of the Romance de Tristan et Iseut.
Come listen to excerpts from Old French and Old Occitan alongside English translation and attend a wonderful medieval music concert from two specialists in Early music. Light refreshments will be serve afterwards.
MEET OUR SPEAKERS & PERFORMERS
Benjamin Obernolte (PhD, French, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities) is a local independent scholar studying the intersection of race, gender and class in medieval French and Iberian literature. He currently teaches secondary-level French and Spanish.
Julie Elhard appears regularly as a soloist and chamber musician and has made several appearances with the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, including the St. Matthew Passion by Bach under the direction of Nicholas McGegan. Ms. Elhard was awarded a 2016 and 2012 Artist’s Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board and a Jerome Foundation grant 2002. She received a Performing Artist Certificate from the Royal Conservatory of Music in The Hague, Netherlands and has taught at workshops across North America and as part of the Viola da Gamba Society of America. She teaches viola da gamba at St. Olaf and Macalester colleges and has published several method books for beginners and young people called, the Passamezzo Method. She currently serves as Conclave Music Director for the Viola da gamba Society of America’s annual workshop.
Ginna Watson is a string player based in the Twin Cities. She performs on bowed and plucked instruments including violin, medieval harp, rebec, and vielle with a number of ensembles, including the Lyra Baroque Orchestra, Rose Ensemble, and Bach Society. Ginna has performed locally and nationally at venues including the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. and the Getty Museum in Los Angeles; she also has given lectures in historic performance at universities around the country. Internationally, she has appeared on music series throughout Europe and in South America. In addition to performing, Ginna is the violin teacher at Hamline University in St. Paul.
In partnership with Les Amis de la Bibliothèque.
Les Amis de la Bibliothèque is a group dedicated to supporting and enhancing the AFMSP Library’s diverse resources, literary programs, and annual cultural events. This group has been created to honor the memory of Hélène Nahas Peters (1919-2020) who devoted thirty years of leadership and service to the AFMSP Library, helping grow the collection to more than 5,000 books.
This event is free and all are welcome! Registration is not required, but please consider registering and making a $10 donation to support our cultural programs like this one. Your support allows us to continue the presence of cultural programs which benefit our whole community.