Experience wintry renditions of ballads and verse with Muco, a musician based in both the US and the UK who specializes in reimagined medieval and early modern folk song and poetry.
Drawing upon his dual British-Burundian heritage, he has developed a practice he calls “creative troubadourism,” blending historic folk traditions with contemporary sensibilities.
In this musical presentation, Muco will first share his approach to historical material. After the talk, Muco will perform on the inanga—a zither from East Africa—to sing Middle-English secular lyrics and Old-English verse that both lament and celebrate this dark and enchanting season.
Biography
Muco
Muco is a singer, songwriter and composer of British-Burundian heritage whose music is inspired by a love of language and storytelling. Through his reworkings of medieval folk songs in Middle and Old English, Muco has cultivated a passionate audience online with his unique interpretations. In these performances, he draws on the concept of ‘creative troubadourism,’ using his voice and autoharp, as well as the inanga (an East African zither), to reimagine historic folk music and poetry. His work not only revives these ancient pieces for modern audiences but also expands ideas of historical musical performance. He seeks not to recreate but to make the music understood, appropriate to a new time.
About Muco’s approach
Through his interpretations of early music, Muco bridges the temporal divide to craft performances that resonate with modern audiences while honoring the music’s historical roots. By approaching early music as a living art form, his work challenges traditional notions of authenticity and inclusivity, instead making space for both historical engagement and creative reimagination.
About Folger Institute
The Folger Institute is a center for early modern research at the Folger Shakespeare Library that brings public audiences together with researchers to explore the cultures and legacies of the early modern world. Learn more.
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