WINTER WASSAIL
“’Wassail’ – from Middle English waes hael, ‘to your health!’ was not exactly a concert, but an evocation of the ancient winter festival when, for a precious few days, people of all stations could forget about work, sing, dance, act out and drink a lot… Barokksolistene’s artistic director and arranger Bjarte Eike led the revels, his violin ever ready to pick out a sentimental song or a hot dance in non-vibrato folk style….The show’s co-creator was baroque guitarist and dancer Steven Player, who…also told a ghost story, egged the revelers on as a thick-bearded Father Christmas, led the audience in a chant of ‘Wassail, Drink ale’ and partnered the other musicians artfully on his small guitar”
—New York Classical Review
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The creators of the rambunctious Alehouse Sessions tour, Denmark’s Barokksolistene, have a new holiday program: "WINTER WASSAIL" developed in cooperation with New York's esteemed Music Before 1800 under Artistic Director Bill Barclay. An infectious concert delving into a forgotten tradition, WINTER WASSAIL rejoices in the revelry that emerges when festivities are banned, when the night is long, and when gathering is difficult. English, Scandinavian and Celtic singing, dancing, ghost stories, and audience participation make this an ideal holiday program in the tradition of a solstice celebration, for audiences looking for an intimate alternative to The Nutcracker or Messiah. It’s irreverent, folk fun.
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The Alehouse Boys — Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene — Play Henry Purcell