We have a big project in mind for 2025 and 2026. We are going to draw on many of the amazing performers we have met at Medieval Music in the Dales and craft a new album focusing on the spectacular Ludus Danielis.

This is a dynamic church play from the twelfth century, entirely set to music and complete with scheming nobles, a majestic wise queen, a devious king, angelic visitations, comedic prophets, growling lions and Daniel himself. The original manuscript include stage directions and supporting notes clearly intended to help performers present this marvel. As we can see, music theatre was alive and well over 800 years ago!

It is a big project and we at Trouvere intend to provide proper and full remuneration to all performers taking part (of course) - that's eight of us and perhaps more! The costs will also include procuring some extra audio equipment, lodgings for performers and the production costs involved in turning all of this into a hardcopy CD with full program notes.

You can help us here if you are so inclined! All funds raised will go directly towards covering the costs of the project and keeping a roof over our heads as we feverishly arrange, rehearse and record this new album in our garret in Richmond, North Yorkshire.

You can contribute with either;

• a one-off payment, or
• a monthly Membership

Both will help massively. All Members that have given at least £30 will receive a gift of the finished CD sent to wherever they live. Any other albums newly created by Trouvere will also be provided to all subscribing members.

We will also produce snippets of the work in progress and production images so that all Members will see the work in progress.

Once Ludus Danielis is complete, we intend (and already partially planned) further recording projects all focusing entirely on medieval repertoire and making use of the excellent musicians we have come to know and respect through the Medieval Music in the Dales festival.

The project is now well underway with significant parts of the Ludus Danielis already recorded. We are building up to recording the choir in early November which will involve five specialist singers all at once. It'll be epic and I'll place some snippets of the captured sound here when we have them.

Thanks!