Four musicians with serious expressions play wooden wind instruments in an ornate gold picture frame.
Black background with white text that reads "The San Francisco Early Music Society presents" with the word 'presents' in red and white.
Event banner for Ciaramella virtual program from March 22 to 24, titled "A Deeper Dive into Dancing From Burgundy to Bergamo."
Black background with white, yellow, pink, and purple text celebrating the 47th season of Treasures New and Old, with years from 2023 to 2024.
A vintage handwritten sheet of music with ornate decorative elements and cursive annotations in French.

Manuscript Margaret of Austria (Brussels 9085)

The basse danse of Margaret of Austria (Brussels 9085) is a unique manuscript dating from between 1497–1501 containing specific music and choreographies in the earliest known dance notation. The text and music have been written in gold and silver ink on black parchment.

Pictured: La Danse de Claves

An ancient illustration of a heraldic coat of arms with two mythological figures resembling angels or gods standing on either side, holding a shield with various heraldic symbols, including lions, eagles, and fleurs-de-lis.

Pictured: Coat of Arms

Historical handwritten music manuscript on dark background with intricate decorative initial and musical notation.

Pictured: La Franchoise Nouvelle Page 1

Handwritten sheet of music on a dark background with musical notes and annotations.

Pictured: La Franchoise Nouvelle Page 2

Read more about the basse danse of Margaret of Austria manuscript
View the full document available from the Library of Congress
Open manuscript with handwritten musical notation and notes in brown ink on both pages.

Escorial B

Pictured: Escorial B - Ha, dure moret, je viens ver toy

Escorial B (Manuscript IV a 24) is a collection of chansons from the Monastery of San Lorenzo de El Escorial.

An open sheet music notebook with handwritten musical notes and annotations in brown ink on both pages.

Pictured: Escorial B - Par desplaisir

Open antique music manuscript or notebook with handwritten musical notation and lyrics in French.

Pictured: Escorial B - Se mon flageolet joli

View the full manuscript
A vintage French instructional chart demonstrating foot positions for a dance or movement, labeled in French, with descriptions and a vertical illustrative grid on the left.

Orchésographie de Thoinot Arbeau (1546)

Old instructional illustration showing dance steps with accompanying French text explaining each step.

Pictured: First, Dance instructions for “Branle de Bourgogne.” Second, pictographic descriptions of dance movements.

Orchésographie is a treatise on dancing by Thoinot Arbeau, written in French and published 1588–9. It is an Important source of information on ancient dances and their tunes, with instruction described in a dialogue between Arbeau and his pupil, Capriol.

A historical drawing of a person playing a violin or fiddle, with text in French explaining dance steps and notes for dancing double steps, including descriptions of foot positions.

Pictured: Orchesographie - Branle Gay

An old musical notation with instructions written in French, titled 'Tablature du branle gay'. It includes musical notes and steps for dancing, such as moving the right foot, left foot, and pauses, with instructions repeated throughout.

Pictured: Orchesographie - Branle Double

Page titled 'ORCHESTROGRAPHIE Tabulation d'une Gauotte,' with a musical notation chart and French instructions for different types of foot movements in dance or movement.

Pictured: Orchesographie - Gavotte

Read more about Thoinot Arbeau and Orchésographie
Summary of Orchésographie
View Orchésographie
View Orchésographie

Coming Up!

Two musicians, a man and a woman, are posing with a black and gold Asian-style decorative folding screen and an open piano, with the woman holding a violin.

Rachel Barton Pine &
Jory Vinikour | April 5⁠–7⁠

Rachel Barton Pine (violin) & Jory Vinikour (harpsichord), two superstars of the early music world, bring their collective talents to bear on some of Bach's greatest instrumental works. Enjoy sonic treats such as the Sonata in B Major for violin and harpsichord and the French Overture in B Minor—with the skill and panache that only Rachel and Jory could bring to them!

LEARN MORE

SFEMS 2024 SUMMER WORKSHOPS

Registration for our four summer workshops is now open!

Baroque Workshop: June 24–30
Medieval/Renaissance Workshop: July 14–20
Recorder Workshop: July 21–27
Classical Workshop: July 28–August 3

Learn more
A painting of a woman with closed eyes, wearing a green dress, with her head turned to the side, holding a musical instrument.
Learn more ABOUT BFX
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A promotional poster for the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition featuring a group of diverse people dressed in formal attire on the right side and a creative, colorful group of five individuals with artistic clothing and props on the left side. The left
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Promotional poster for the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition featuring Cantata Collective performing Bach Concertos, dated June 13 at First Church Berkeley UCC. The poster includes images of six classical musicians with their instruments on a dark backg
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Flyer for the Berkeley Festival and Exhibition featuring artwork of a religious scene and an ornate drawing of a woman with the text about a concert of music from South American missions at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Berkeley on June 15.
Four musicians from the Parthenia Viol Consort smiling and posing with their instruments, one holding a viola da gamba, in black attire, promoting a concert at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Berkeley on June 15 as part of the Berkeley Festival & Exhi
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Promotional poster for the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition featuring two photos of musical ensembles, with text about the Farallon Quartet & Parthenia Viola Consort, and details of the event date and location.
Promotional banner for 'Several Friends: The Shadow of Night: Musical Magic and Mysticism' event at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Berkeley, on June 15, featuring five diverse individuals with smiling faces, and text indicating event details.
Promotional poster for the Berkeley Festival & Exhibition featuring five close-up portraits of classical musicians, including men and women, with text announcing the event at First Church Berkeley UCC on June 12, with a focus on Philharmonia Baroque
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By "paying it forward" or donating, you support our vision of an inclusive early music community. Join us in promoting historically informed performance and creating a diverse, inclusive community. Let's make early music accessible to everyone!

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