Musicians of the Tenshō Embassy

This Early Music program celebrates the musical accomplishments of Japanese students at Jesuit missionary schools in Japan (1549–1613) who became accomplished viol players and singers. European Jesuits ran the schools where music was considered essential learning. Although surviving accounts by the Jesuits about the mission in Japan are laden with racism and eurocentrism, the students were highly gifted musicians. Lyracle honors these boys’ achievements through music and storytelling with works by Durante Lobo, Francisco Guerrero, Damião de Góis, and Jacopo Peetrino. Actor Danielle Boivin joins the five musicians for the readings from historical documents.

Presented by the Howard M. Brown International Early Music Series at the University of Chicago.