Trouvere's Ludus Danielis is a new arrangement of this stunning twelfth-century church drama, which will premiere at Medieval Music in the Dales 2024.

The Ludus Danielis was created at the abbey of Beauvais in the second half of the twelfth century by the "young men" of the choir under the direction of Ralph the Englishman, and it tells the story of Daniel from the Old Testament, focusing on the tales of the Writing on the Wall and the Lions' Den. These two narratives are told through song, both solo and choral pieces, but this Ludus was no static piece from the choir. The surviving manuscript (British Library Egerton MS 2615) includes stage directions which clearly indicate dramatic movement, the use of costumes, and the use of instruments. The Ludus was originally performed as part of the Christmas season and was a paraliturgical act of worship - but it was also clearly a great deal of fun for everyone involved.

Packed with beautiful melodies and moments of high drama, the Ludus Danielis is an enormously satisfying piece of work. Trouvere will bring out the instrumental potential of the Ludus, while also including voice and storytelling to present the Ludus for a modern audience in all its vivacious medieval appeal.

Supported by a grant from Continuo Foundation.