CHRISTMAS REVELS 1999

The 1999 Christmas Revels was set in the Italian Renaissance, an age when science, art and music experienced a magnificent transformation. This astounding burst of creative energy led to a tremendous flowering of the arts (including painting, architecture, music, sculpture and dance) and prolific invention in the world of science.

With a company of more than 80 actors, singers, dancers and musicians, including brass, wind and string bands, the 1999 Christmas Revels was a lavishly costumed production replete with Italian folk tales, a visit from Leonardo da Vinci, and a delightful feast of Renaissance music and dance (not to mention a total eclipse of the sun!). Revels favorite David Coffin led an extraordinary company of singers and musicians including the Renaissance dance band Renaissonics (John Tyson, director) of recorder, lute and violin, and the a cappella early music trio Tapestry, with mezzo-soprano Laurie Monahan, alto Daniela Tosic and Cristi Catt, soprano. Additional performers included The Cambridge Symphonic Brass Ensemble; a zany company of Commedia dellí Arte actors directed by Ron Jenkins, a frequent collaborator with Italian clown and Nobel Prize winning playwright Dario Fo; and the 40-member Revels Chorus of adults and children.

Photos by Roger Ide