The Toronto Consort performs The Da Vinci Codex at Beacon Aug. 21

Musique Royale presents The Da Vinci Codex with the Toronto Consort at Beacon United Church in Yarmouth on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 7:30 p.m.

The Toronto Consort is Canada’s leading chamber ensemble specializing in the music of the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Their presentation of The Da Vinci Codex features Italian Music from the time of Leonardo Da Vinci.

The quintessential Renaissance man, painter, inventor and thinker, Leonardo da Vinci was also an accomplished musician. A virtuoso player of stringed instruments, he was known for his skill in improvisation. He also designed several musical instruments, and conducted scientific studies into acoustics and the human voice. Using musical selections from the period and text taken from historic accounts and Leonardo’s own treatises, The DaVinci Codex (the Latin term for a collection or manuscript) follows the course of his life and extraordinary achievements in the realms of visual art, science, engineering and music.

Formed in 1972, the Consort presents an annual series of concerts in Toronto, and performs throughout Canada, the United States, Great Britain and Europe. It has performed and collaborated with many leading early music specialists, including Paul O’Dette, Julianne Baird, Colin Tilney, Paul Agnew, Ann Monoyios, Suzie LeBlanc, The King’s Noyse, La Nef and Les Sonneurs de Montréal. The Toronto Consort has appeared with the Toronto Symphony under Andrew Davis, the Montreal Symphony under Charles Dutoit, and the North German Radio Orchestra.

Members of the ensemble include David Fallis, Artistic Director, tenor; Ben Grossman, hurdy-gurdy, percussion; Katherine Hill, soprano, viola da gamba; Paul Jenkins, tenor, harpsichord; Terry McKenna, lute, guitar; Alison Melville, recorders; John Pepper, bass; Laura Pudwell, mezzo-soprano.

The show in Yarmouth is one of six performances hosted by Musique Royale during the Consort’s August tour of the province. The consort is also performing in Halifax, Wolfville, Lunenburg, Shelburne and Annapolis. Musique Royale is a festival of music held in the summer throughout Nova Scotia in historically significant places. Tickets for the Thursday show are $15. Students $5. Tickets are available at the door, or contact Nancy Hood at 902-742-3226 or Joan Semple at 902-742-8765.