Divine Love

Esteemed musicologist Dr. Susan McClary has a reputation for brilliant and provocative scholarship. On November 8th, she is joined by internationally-renowned recorder player and cornettist Alex Opsahl and “alluring” tenor Jason McStoots to probe the ecstatic and often erotic overtones of 17th century music and poetry. From the sensual verse of the Song of Songs to the metaphysical writings of John Donne, we explore how composers translated the exuberance of these texts to sound. Alongside commentary from McClary, Opsahl, and McStoots, the episode features new, international remote collaborations of motets by Heinrich Schütz and exclusive archival video from Tesserae, Opsahl’s acclaimed LA-based early music ensemble that regularly performs music from the Renaissance and early Baroque eras.

Episode Credits

Debra Nagy, host & executive producer
Shelby Yamin, associate producer

Episode Guests

Susan McClary

Musicologist

Alex Opsahl

Recorder & Cornetto

Jason McStoots

Tenor

Resources

Soon to be updated with links to related websites and recordings.

Music

Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672)
O quam tu pulchra – Veni di Libano, amica mea, SWV 265-266
Anima mea liquefacta est – Adjura vos, SWV 263-264

Giovanni Battista Fontana (1589-1630)
Sonata Sesta – footage courtesy of Tesserae Baroque

Giovanni Paolo Cima (c. 1570-1630)
Sonata per cornetto & trombone, overo violino o violone

Francesco Rognoni (1570-1626)
Divisions on Pulchra Es Amica Mea (after Palestrina) – footage courtesy of the Da Camera Society

Sponsors

SEASON UNDERWRITERS
Bob & Nancy Klein
Joe Sopko & Elizabeth Macintyre
Deborah Malamud & Neal Plotkin
Tom & Marilyn McLaughlin
David Porter & Margaret Poutasse

EPISODE SPONSORS
Marc Vincent & Alex Nalbach 
Susan McClary

REMOTE ARTIST SPONSORS
Ross Duffin & Bev Simmons
Eric & Sue Kisch
Paula Mindes & George Gilliam
Jean Toombs
Daniel Williams
JoLynn Edwards
Sarah Steiner