For most of the 14th Century the papacy was situated in Avignon in the south of France. The Avignonese popes were great patrons of the arts, especially music, where the liturgy for the mass and divine offices were influenced to a great degree by the practices of the Ars Nova. On Friday night's Distant Mirror the ensemble Venance Fortunat and the choir of the University of Tours perform music from the popes' palace at Avignon.
Hear also several Renaissance fantasias performed by lutenist Anthony Rooley; and what's thought to be the earliest song cycle in the western world, the Cantigas de Amigo of 13th century Spanish composer Martin Codax performed by the Dufay Collective. Join Allan Kelly for Distant Mirror.