Eliza's Toyes
A Newe Sound vpon the towne of Madison: songs of two to fiue parts, sung by most Heauenly voyces of men (and women)
Please stay tuned for our 2010-2011 season! Tentative concerts will include "Kircher's Rome" in Richland Center, WI, and two concerts in Madison in January and May.
History
In the summer of 2005, a few singers in the Madison Early Music Festival decided that it was a fine idea to get together and delight themselves with singing madrigals. The group's first piece--William Byrd's "This sweet and merry month of May", whose ending celebrated Queen Elizabeth I with the words
And greet Eliza with a rhyme:
O beauteous Queen of Second Troy,
Take well in worth a simple toy.
provided a great name for the group. Eliza's Toyes was born, and existed every summer in Madison, Wisconsin.
In 2008, a fair number of singers who were in Eliza's Toyes are living in Madison once again. Thus we gather, outside of the Festival, for the joy of music making. It is our pleasure to continue sharing this wonderful body of music with you for the second year!
Current Members
Arielle Basile, soprano
Kathryl Peck, soprano
Sandy Erickson, alto
Steve Johnson, tenor
Ben Li, baritone
Jerry Hui, bass
Doug Towne, lute/theorbo
With guests:
Theresa Koenig, bassoon/dulcian
Beth Morgan, cello