Music Of Days Gone By

The Mediaeval Baebes try to provide "a fantasy idea of the medieval period" in all of their performances.

The seven-member group will be singing and playing its interpretations of medieval songs and modern Christmas carols Thursday at Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville, founder Katharine Blake of London says. She notes that the group will be performing about half of the songs from its holiday album "Of Kings & Angels," which was released in October in the United States and November 2013 in the United Kingdom.

"We sing very ethereal, medieval-inspired harmonies," she says.

Some of the songs Mediaeval Baebes will perform include "The Angel Gabriel," "In the Bleak Midwinter," "Gaudete," "Veni Veni Emmanuel," "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentleman," and "Good King Wenceslas." She says it will be quite a mixed bag of old and modern -- and for Blake, modern means 19th century.

The seven-piece choir also plays old folk and medieval instruments, such as the hurdy-gurdy and lyre, she says. The group has two supporting backup musicians as well.

Blake says lovers of Christmas carols, festive music and romantic music would likely enjoy this concert.

-- Ashley Batchelor

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