The Egida Sartori and Laura Alvini Early Music Seminars 2015
17-21 May 2015
Fondazione Giorgio Cini, Island of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice
Application Deadline: 15 February 2015

Matteo da Perugia and Milanese Gothics (1390-1425)
Director: Pedro Memelsdorff

The seminar will focus on the secular music of Matteo da Perugia (fl. 1400-1425), maestro di cappella at Milan Cathedral from 1402 to 1407, and again from 1414 to 1416. Nothing is known about his possibly Umbrian training, and no documents of his non-Milanese years survive. Scholars have speculated on his possible stay at Pavia, Pisa or Bologna, where he might have served Cardinal Pietro Filargo (Pisan pope Alexander V after 1409), most likely his main patron.
Matteo’s music includes several Mass movements, two Latin motets and a rich series of Italian and above all French songs. Indeed, he authored the richest French chansonnier composed by a single Italian of his time.
Surprisingly few sources transmit this quite vast repertoire: a manuscript containing almost half of it — now in Modena — and three fragments now in Parma, Berne and New York. While scholars first hinted at a limited circulation of the material, more recent research has suggested that Matteo’s enturage had a decisive influence on mid-15th century theoretical sources in Italy and abroad.
His music may well represent the climax of Milanese and Lombard Gothic polyphony.

Scholarships
Scholarships will be given to one or two professional or semi-professional vocal or mixed vocal-instrumental trios specialised in late mediaeval repertoires. They cover the seminar fees, board and lodging (at the Residence of the Vittore Branca International Centre), and travelling (in economy class up to €700). For application candidates must send by 15 February 2015 an e-mail to the seminar secretary (musica.antica@cini.it) with the following material:
– CV with the details of the ensemble and its members;
– a recording of a late 14th-century polyphonic piece (in MP3 or MP4 format; videos are not accepted).
The seminar welcomes auditors, on request and after the secretary’s approval.

For information:
The Egida Sartori e Laura Alvini Early Music Seminars
Fondazione Giorgio Cini
Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore – 30124 Venezia – Italia
tel. 39 041 2710258 – Fax +39 0412710221 musica.antica@cini.it – www.cini.it