Michael Fields (musician)
Encyclopedia
Michael Fields is a British lute
and theorbo
player. Born in Hawaii, USA. The song of the surf and the rhythm of ukeleles made a lasting impression on him. His musical journey began from playing folk, rock and jazz in California
and Australia
. Afterwards he acquired a romantic interest in older music, which took him to England in 1974 to where he learned classical guitar
and lute
.
Lute
Lute can refer generally to any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back, or more specifically to an instrument from the family of European lutes....
and theorbo
Theorbo
A theorbo is a plucked string instrument. As a name, theorbo signifies a number of long-necked lutes with second pegboxes, such as the liuto attiorbato, the French théorbe des pièces, the English theorbo, the archlute, the German baroque lute, the angélique or angelica. The etymology of the name...
player. Born in Hawaii, USA. The song of the surf and the rhythm of ukeleles made a lasting impression on him. His musical journey began from playing folk, rock and jazz in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Afterwards he acquired a romantic interest in older music, which took him to England in 1974 to where he learned classical guitar
Classical guitar
The classical guitar is a 6-stringed plucked string instrument from the family of instruments called chordophones...
and lute
Lute
Lute can refer generally to any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back, or more specifically to an instrument from the family of European lutes....
.
- Michael studied at Guildhall School of Music and DramaGuildhall School of Music and DramaGuildhall School of Music and Drama is an independent music and dramatic arts school which was founded in 1880 in London, England. Students can pursue courses in Music, Opera, Drama and Technical Theatre Arts.-History:...
in London, England. He is most known from his duo partnership with British soprano Evelyn TubbEvelyn TubbSoprano Evelyn Tubb is a long-time member of The Consort of Musicke and one of the world's greatest early music specialists, known for her innovative and original performances. She originally comes from the Isle of Wight and studied piano, trumpet, violin and singing...
, and as the music directorMusic directorA music director may be the director of an orchestra, the director of music for a film, the director of music at a radio station, the head of the music department in a school, the co-ordinator of the musical ensembles in a university or college , the head bandmaster of a military band, the head...
of ensemble SprezzaturaSprezzaturaSprezzatura is an Italian word originating from Baldassare Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier, where it is defined by the author as “a certain nonchalance, so as to conceal all art and make whatever one does or says appear to be without effort and almost without any thought about it.” It is...
. He is also the member of the ensemble New Trinity BaroqueNew Trinity BaroqueNew Trinity Baroque is an orchestra with an associated chamber choir, specialised in baroque music played on period instruments. It was founded in 1998 in London but is now based in Atlanta, USA...
(USA). - Due to his career as a performer, opera director and teacher he traveled around the world several times, with many rewarding and interesting collaborations along the way. One of them was directing a performance of Dido and AeneasDido and AeneasDido and Aeneas is an opera in a prologue and three acts by the English Baroque composer Henry Purcell to a libretto by Nahum Tate. The first known performance was at Josias Priest's girls' school in London no later than the summer of 1688. The story is based on Book IV of Virgil's Aeneid...
in BelgradeBelgradeBelgrade is the capital and largest city of Serbia. It is located at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers, where the Pannonian Plain meets the Balkans. According to official results of Census 2011, the city has a population of 1,639,121. It is one of the 15 largest cities in Europe...
in 1996 with Predrag GostaPredrag GostaPredrag Gosta is a Serbian-American conductor and harpsichordist.. He is the Artistic Director of an early music ensemble, baroque orchestra and choir New Trinity Baroque, based in Atlanta, United States, the Music Director and conductor of the Gwinnett Ballet Theatre in Snellville , and the...
in the role of SorceressMagician (fantasy)A magician, mage, sorcerer, sorceress, wizard, enchanter, enchantress, thaumaturge or a person known under one of many other possible terms is someone who uses or practices magic that derives from supernatural or occult sources...
and Evelyn TubbEvelyn TubbSoprano Evelyn Tubb is a long-time member of The Consort of Musicke and one of the world's greatest early music specialists, known for her innovative and original performances. She originally comes from the Isle of Wight and studied piano, trumpet, violin and singing...
in the role of Dido.
- Michael Fields also plays archlute, chitarrone/theorbo, baroque guitar, harp