A Cappella Trio Mediaeval in concert November 16, 2008

Internationally celebrated a cappella group Trio Mediaeval returns to San Francisco Performances with a program of centuries of Norwegian folksongs. The award-winning ensemble--Anna Maria Friman, Linn Andrea Fuglseth and Torunn Ostrem Ossum--will be joined by percussionist Terje Isungset in a variety of folksongs in contemporary arrangements created especially for the unique purity, power, passion and versatility of the Trio's amazing voices.

Norwegian folk songs and medieval ballads have complemented Trio Mediaeval's repertoire of sacred music and contemporary pieces since the three began singing together in 1997. Although the singers weren't trained as folk musicians, they were surrounded by folk music as an integral part of their Norwegian and Swedish cultures, and they have known the songs they now perform in this concert since childhood.

The brilliant Scandinavian voices of Trio Mediaeval specialize in a diverse repertoire that features medieval music from England and France, contemporary works written for the ensemble, and traditional Norwegian ballads and songs. Founded in Oslo in 1997, the Trio developed its unique repertory during intense periods of work at the Hilliard Summer Festivals in England and Germany between 1998 and 2000, and subsequently with Linda Hirst and John Potter.

The trio delights in performing new music and collaborates with many contemporary composers, including Gavin Bryars, Roger Marsh and Andrew Smith. In 2005, the trio premiered "Shelter" in Cologne, Germany, a joint production of Bang on a Can composers Michael Gordon, Julia Wolf and David Lang, German new music ensemble musikFabrik, and Ridge Theater.

This program is also featured on a new CD, "Folk Songs" on the ECM label.

$42/$32.

Official Website: http://www.performances.org