DANIEL AND THE LIONS — LUDUS DANIELIS | New York's Ensemble for Early Music

Daniel and the Lions — Ludus Danielis brings to life the medieval liturgical drama of the biblical story of Daniel. New York’s Ensemble for Early Music, directed by Frederick Renz, blends song, dramatic action and historical instruments in a narrative of kings, prophecy and deliverance, culminating in the Te Deum.Originating in the world of the cathedral school at Beauvais, Ludus Danielis unites medieval music, sacred theatre and storytelling. Dances, processions, characters and instrumental interludes bring the drama into motion.Formats and editionsHi-Res file — HD016: high-resolution digital audio download.DSD 64 — DSD016: digital audio download in DSD 64 (DSF) format.Complete tracklistQuarte estampie real — 11:15 (Deuxième dance; La terche estampie real; L’autrier m’iere levar; La quinte estampie real; Estampie “Daniel”)Entry of Belshazzar’s court — 7:10Entry of Belshazzar’s queen — 3:19Entry of Daniel — 11:25Exit of Belshazzar’s queen and the court — 2:21Interlude: Belshazzar’s lament — 4:09Entry of Darius’ court — 4:28Presentation of Daniel — 3:21Daniel’s accusers — 4:31Daniel is thrown to the lions — 1:18Visitation of the angel — 5:47Daniel’s salvation and prophesy — 4:43Te Deum — 6:46PerformersNew York’s Ensemble for Early Music — Frederick Renz, director.Mark Bleeke — Daniel.Wilbur Pauley — King Belshazzar, Habakkuk.Patrick Mason — King Darius.Peter Becker — Queen, Angel.Johnson Flucker — Astrologer.Douglas Shambo — Lawyer.Courtiers: Daniel Johnson, David Negron, Frank Nemhauser, Kurt Richards, Douglas Stevens.Pages: Nicholas Oakes, Timothy Oakes, Sean O’Brien, David Regelin, Damian Stanley, Devin Ratray, Eliot van Buskirk.Instrumentalists: Grant Herreid (citole, lute, recorder, drum, cennamella); John Loose (carillon, psaltery, nakers); Tom Zajac (hornpipe, organetto, cennamella).Recording and productionGiulio Cesare Ricci — conceived, recorded and produced. Church of Santa Sabina, Rome, November 1986. Neumann U47 and U48 valve microphones. A Fonè production exploring the musical and theatrical richness of the medieval repertoire.