The Archduke Albert and the Archduchess Isabelle, whose reign from 1599 to 1621 left its mark on the history of Brussels, were enlightened lovers of music, and their patronage gave the city many of its artistic masterpieces. Michel Keustermans and the Cetra d'Orfeo, together with Stephan Van Dyck's refined voice, offer an exploration of the repertory that livened up the palace in Brussels at this time. Comprising the music of dead but ever popular composers such as Josquin des Prés, this repertory constantly enriched itself with music from the "northern composers", who came from all over in order to take part in the finest princely celebrations. Italians, Englishmen, Flemings and Walloons are consequently assembled here for a fascinating journey in time in which polyphony, instrumental virtuosity, dance and song are mingled in the whirlwind that was the Renaissance.
