Folktales and Storied Traditions: Troubadours, Griots, and Hakawatis
Folger Consort’s 50th‑anniversary season brings together three storied traditions of sung storytelling in “Folktales and Storied Traditions: Troubadours, Griots, and Hakawatis.” This program traces the narrative and musical threads that connect West African djali (or griots)—the living keepers of oral histories—with the Arabic hakawatis, revered tellers of heroic sagas and folk tales, and the medieval Provençal and French troubadours who shaped European courtly song. Through a blend of epic romances, heroic sagas, and folk tales drawn from each tradition, the concert honors music’s central role in preserving cultural memory while illuminating the distinctive perspectives of these three rich musical worlds.
When: February 12–14, 2027
Showtimes: Based on the Folger Consort subscription schedule, likely Friday evening at 8:00 PM, Saturday matinee at 2:00 PM and Saturday evening at 8:00 PM, and Sunday matinee at 2:00 PM. (Exact showtimes for this event are not specified in the source.)
Tickets: Individual ticket prices are not yet announced. Subscription packages for the full four‑concert season (including this program) start at $162 for standard admission and $126 for those under 35 (proof of age required); a $6 handling fee applies per package. Subscriber benefits include up to 20% savings, free no‑fee ticket exchanges, access to the Early Music Seminar series, and discounts on other Folger performances. Contact the box office at (202) 544‑7077 or folgerboxoffice@folger.edu for single‑ticket availability.
Lineup: Folger Consort, the award‑winning early music ensemble‑in‑residence at Folger Shakespeare Library, under the artistic direction of Robert Eisenstein and Christopher Kendall.
Venue: Folger Theatre, Folger Shakespeare Library, Washington, D.C.
Note: This performance is part of Folger Consort’s 50th anniversary season. The program will not be strictly historical but will juxtapose and interweave the three traditions, drawing on oral histories, heroic sagas, folk tales, and epic romances from West Africa, the Arab world, and medieval Europe.