The Play of Daniel: A Medieval Drama

"The early-13th-century liturgical drama known as The Play of Daniel has been called everything from a "Christmas pageant" to "the first opera", and indeed it has legitimate claim to aspects of both of these references. Because the story of Daniel is laden with prophecy of the coming of the Messiah, and because of its remarkable melodic sophistication and specific dramatic features (scenes, characters, choruses, stage directions), this play was a popular production during the Christmas celebrations at France's Beauvais Cathedral, where its various components--conducti (processionals), recitative-like solos, dialogues, and group songs--were collected and organized into the manuscript that now resides in the British Museum. The singing and instrumental playing are first rate, as we expect from these forces, and I have to say that the way instruments are used here (including the interludes and introductory passages) really helps move the action along and also helps to create a sense of occasion that, combined with the excellent recorded sound, enlivens and enriches the drama. A must for early music fans!"
(ClassicsToday 10/10)

For its second harmonia mundi recording,The Dufay Collective turns to the colourful late 12th-century entertainment which was a staple of the Christmas season at Beauvais Cathedral in France: The Play of Daniel. With a chorus and cast of solo singers, accompanied by an instrumental ensemble comprising harps, psaltery, portative organ, recorder, vielles, hurdy-gurdy and bells, this most theatrical and expressive of medieval liturgical dramas receives a spectacular performance from the group, which has just celebrated its first 20 years on the scene. It relates how the prophet Daniel deciphered the Writing on the Wall for King Belshazzar, and then was miraculously saved from the lions' den.The story was probably sung and acted out by young clerics during the Christmas festivities, when liturgical rigour was relaxed somewhat.This mesmerising recording transports us back to the origins of music as spectacle: long before the advent of opera, the Church had already grasped the impact of dramatic performance. Prized for its virtuosity and versatility,The Dufay Collective has triumphed at major festivals and toured throughout the world to great acclaim. Highlights of recent years have included Early Music Network tours in Holland, Norway and the UK, appearances at the Tallinn Festival in Estonia, the Fez Festival in Morocco, and frequent concerts in Spain, with performances in Montserrat, Burgos and Rueda. Recent UK concerts include the York Early Music Festival, Birmingham Early Music and Cambridge Summer Festivals.The Dufay Collective has taught workshops and given concerts at Dartington Summer School for the past eleven years. It has collaborated with The Orlando Consort on several occasions and has performed at Sadler's Wells with the Richard Alston Dance Company.. It has broadcast on many radio and TV networks around the world and can be heard on the soundtracks to the films Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Zeffirelli's Hamlet and Shrek the Third.