Estampie Amor Lontano

Emperor Friedrich II of the Hohenstaufen (or Staufer) dynasty was probably one of the most enigmatic, successful and remarkable rulers in German history. Referred to as stupor mundi, the wonder of the world, by a contemporary chronicler, he continues to fascinate many people, some of whom even wish that today's governments featured some of his distinctive and unusual qualities. Strong-minded, assertive, modern in that he promoted natural sciences and indeed himself pursued some research in that Šeld, an avid patron of the arts, tolerant and cosmopolitan, is how Friedrich II is described by historical sources. Speaking various languages - but, curiously, only a little German - he loved above all Arabian poetry which had been at its zenith in his home country of Sicily up to around two centuries before his time. Provençal troubadours and German minnesingers were permanent guests at his court and accompanied him on his numerous journeys. Friedrich's multicultural outlook, his blending of diifferent cultures is particularly interesting to us and has inspired us together with Arabian musicians to devise a programme which echoes music as it may have been performed at the court of the great Staufer king. In this music, poetry by the famous Arabian poets of the 9th and 10th century is combined with medieval Arabian and Maghrebian music, a method (setting poetry to music) which is still common practice in Arabian countries. In addition, it is associated with the famous melodies of Raimbaut de Vaqueiras, Walther von der Vogelweide and many others. A third component of this programme is based on the fact that Friedrich also supported popular Italian speech and great works were created in this domain during his lifetime: elaborate sonnets as well as spiritual and folksong-like music.