Art Song Canberra: Airs and Graces

Michael Burden (countertenor), Liam Green (harpsichord) and Ruby Brallier (cello, viola da gamba)

“Burden sang with beautiful, warm tone and impressive projection” – Classic Melbourne

Long before the piano took its central place in the production of art songs, singers performed with the support of basso continuo: a bass instrument combined with a keyboard instrument that could fill out the harmony. Named a solo madrigal, or an ‘air de cour’, or simply a song or ‘Air’, the approach to language in the local/regional traditions defined the style. Much of this repertoire that developed around the courts in Europe is still being recovered. In this recital, young counter-tenor Michael Burden presents some of the vocal gems that were heard outside the opera houses of the day in Paris, London, Venice and Rome.