The members of the Twin Cities based Renaissance and Baroque ensemble, Minstrelsy! are in top form on their third CD for Lyrichord. This time joined by guest soprano Lisa Habeck, Minstrelsy! works their magic on tunes from: "The Beggar's Opera" as well as popular 17th Century English and Celtic tunes.

Nancy Froseth - viola da gamba, recorder
David Hays - baroque violin
David Livingston, recorders
Phillip Rukavina, archlute
Special guest soprano, Lisa Habeck.

What critics said about Minstrelsy!

"The sound is clear and realistic. A most attractive recording debut for a group we will want to hear again." Barker, American Record Guide, May/June '96

"These accomplished musicians make this music seem simple and light-hearted, conveying a sense of spare emotion. It left me with a feeling of marvelous tranquility." AR, Napra Review, Spring 1996

"...authenticity underlying some crisp and elegant playing." Daniel Cusick, Scranton Times Jan. '96

Tracks
1. Allegro in G minor (J. Pepusch 1667-1752) - 1:40
2. "Through all the Employments of Life" (anon., Beggar's Opera, 1728) - 1:03
3. "Thus Gamesters United" (J. Packington, Beggar's Opera) - 1:27
4. Coleraine (trad., Irish) - 1:31
5. "The Modes of the Court" (H. Purcell, Beggar's Opera) - 1:06
6. The Black Nag; Childgrove, Zephyrs and Flora (anon., 17th c.) - 3:05
7. "Youth's the Season Made for Joys" (anon., Beggar's Opera) - 1:35
8. "Come Sweet Lass" (anon., Beggar's Opera) - :35
9. Love's Triumph (anon.,17th c.) - 1:20
10. Adson's Masque ([John] Adson, ca. 1640) - :35
11. Sir Francis Bacon's Masque (anon., 17th c.) - 1:11
12. Sir Francis Bacon's Second Masque (anon., 17th c.) - 1:00
13. Kapsberger (G. Kapsberger, ca. 1614) - 2:44
14. Cupararee (anon., 17th c.) - 1:44
15. "The Turtle Thus" (anon., Beggar's Opera) - 1:59
16. Arran Boat, The Chapel Bell, Tenpenny Bit (trad., Irish) - 3:10
17. "Virgins are Like the Fair Flower" (H. Purcell, Beggar's Opera) - 1:51
18. Morning Dew (trad., Irish), Sally Gardens (trad., Irish) - 1:54
19. Chaconne (H. Purcell, 1659-1695) - 2:30
20. "If Love's a Sweet Passion" (H. Purcell) - 2:48
21. "When Young at the Bar" (H. Purcell, Beggar's Opera) - 1:53
22. The Second of Gray's Inn (anon., 17th c.) - 1:01
25. The Mountebanks Dance at Gray's Inn (anon., 17th c.) - 1:18
24. The Standing Masque (anon., 17th c.) - 1:16
25. "I'm Like a Skiff on the Ocean Tossed" (anon., Beggar's Opera) Mrs. Sparks Maggot (anon., 17th c.) - 1:43
26. Wilson's Love (anon., 17th c.) - 2:17
27. "0 What Pain it is to Part" (anon., Beggar's Opera) - 2:14
28. The King's Mistress (anon., 17th c.) - 1:21
29. Cease your Funning" (anon., Beggar's Opera) - :51
30. A Trip to Paris, St. Martins Nonesuch: or A La Mode De France (anon., 17th c.) - 2:26
31. "Were I Laid on Greenland's Coast" (anon., Beggar's Opera) - 2:28
32. The Swallow's Tail Reel, The Swallow's Tail Jig (trad., Irish) - 2:26

Total Running Time - 57:21