The Bæbes's first album, Salva Nos (1997), shot straight to No 2 in the classical charts, a silver disc. Subsequent albums include Worldes Blysse (which went straight to No 1), Undrentide, (co-produced by John Cale), The Rose, and the Christmas-themed album Mistletoe & Wine.
Mirabilis (2005), was launched at a concert and party in London, August 2005. A self-titled DVD was released in July 2006. The first 300 preorders were autographed by the band and received a special mention in the DVD credits.
A live album was be released in December 2006 and featured two bonus studio tracks, An Itunes exclusive was also launched which added tracks not featured on the cd release and at this time still remain exclusive so is well worth tracking down.
The new album entitled Illumination was released via preorder on the bands website in Oct 2008 and as an added incentive to fans features two bonus tracks not included on the regular wholesale edition which has a Spring 2009 official release date. There has been concerns over the mastering of the album from fans which could account for the delayed release dates.
Each album features traditional medieval songs and poetry set to music, mostly arranged by Blake specifically for the ensemble, alongside varying numbers of original compositions. They sing in a variety of languages, including Latin, Middle English, French, Italian, Russian, Middle High German, Welsh, Irish Gaelic, modern English, Swedish and the nearly extinct Cornish. Their vocals are backed by medieval instruments, including the recorder and cittern, played by the singers or fellow musicians.
One of the group's founding musicians, Dorothy Carter, died of a stroke in 2003 at the age of 68. In addition to playing autoharp, hurdy gurdy, and dulcimer with the group, she performed the lead vocals on So Spricht Das Leben (Worldes Blysse) and L'Amour de Moi (The Rose).
Emily Ovenden, who sings with the group, is the daughter of artist Graham Ovenden.
The Bæbes' musical pieces run the gamut from extremely traditional, such as their version of The Coventry Carol on Salva Nos, to songs that feel traditional but are much more modern, such as their rendition of Summerisle, a song written for Robin Hardy's 1973 cult film Wicker Man. John Cale added non-medieval instruments, including saxophone and electric guitar, to some of the arrangements on Undrentide, although with subsequent albums the band returned to more traditional instruments. Even with these instruments, however, the band's current style is quite different from medieval authentic performance groups, as it displays significant modern influence.
Current Band Members:
Katharine Blake (Contralto, Recorders, Violin, Piano), Emily Ovenden (Soprano, Recorders, Concertina, Percussion), Ester Dee (Soprano), Claire Rabbitt (Contralto, Piano), Bev Lee Harling (Alto, Violin, Citern, Recorders, Guitar), Melpomeni Kermanidou (Mezzo Soprano, Piano)
former Band Members:
Dorothy Carter, Karen Lupton, Nicole Frobusch, Nichole Sleet, Carmen Schneider, Claire Ravel, Ruth Galloway, Teresa Casella, Rachel Van Ash, Audrey Evans, Marie Findley, Cylindra Sapphire, Sophie Evans, Maple Bee, Sofia Escobar, Maxine Fone
Official website: www.mediaevalbaebes.com
Veni Veni Bella
Mediæval Bæbes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Cum gaudio
Veni, domicello
Iam Pereo.
Veni, veni floreo,
Iam amore virginali,
Veni, veni bella,
Est, quo pereo.
Sile, Philumena,
Totus floreo
Surge cantilena
Totus ardeo
Tua me confortat
Promissio,
Tua me deportat
Negatio
Veni, veni floreo,
Iam amore virginali,
Veni, veni bella,
Novus novus amor
Est, quo pereo.
The lyrics of Mediæval Bæbes's song "Veni Veni Bella" are in Latin, but the meaning can be deciphered through the use of translations. The song is a plea for a young woman to come and rescue the singer from his suffering caused by love. The repeated phrase "veni, veni" means "come, come" and is followed by the word "bella" which means beautiful. The singer also pleads for her to come with joy and says that he is about to perish without her.
The second verse continues with the desire for the woman to come and bring love to the singer, who is a virgin. The phrase "Novus novus amor" means "new, new love" and emphasizes the overwhelming feeling the singer is experiencing. He then speaks to Philumena, who may be a stand-in for a muse or inspiration, and implores her to give him strength and inspiration through song. The singer is comforted by the woman's promise of love, but is also driven away by her rejection, which causes him to suffer even more.
This song is a beautiful example of medieval music and reflects the themes of courtly love, which was a popular literary movement in medieval Europe. The lyrics express the desire for an unattainable love and the suffering that comes with it. The artistry of the Mediæval Bæbes is evident in their use of medieval instruments such as the hurdy-gurdy, tabla, and dulcimer to create a hauntingly beautiful melody.
Line by Line Meaning
Veni, Veni Bella
Come, come beautiful one
Cum gaudio
With joy
Veni, domicello
Come, little lord
Iam Pereo.
Now I perish
Veni, veni floreo,
Come, come blooming
Iam amore virginali,
Now in virginal love
Veni, veni bella,
Come, come beautiful one
Novus novus amor
New, new love
Est, quo pereo.
It is in which I perish
Sile, Philumena,
Be silent, Philumena
Totus floreo
I completely blossom
Surge cantilena
Rise, song
Totus ardeo
I completely burn
Tua me confortat
Your promise comforts me
Promissio,
Your promise
Tua me deportat
Your denial disheartens me
Negatio
Your denial
Contributed by Caroline K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@anastasiaw5622
Veni, Veni Bella
Cum gaudio
Veni, domicello
Iam Pereo.
Veni, veni floreo,
Iam amore virginali,
Veni, veni bella,
Novus novus amor
Est, quo pereo.
Sile, Philumena,
Totus floreo
Surge cantilena
Totus ardeo
Tua me confortat
Promissio,
Tua me deportat
Negatio
Veni, veni floreo,
Iam amore virginali,
Veni, veni bella,
Novus novus amor
Est, quo pereo.
@robinblick9375
My daughter's band. Very proud of her.
@mcburnski
So you should be. They have amazing voices.
@AliceEade-st2yc
Amazing singers and all beautiful not surprised your proud
@mrcheg9046
The singing here is absolutely marvellous. The music sounds as though it were pulled from the heart of Midgard itself, and the voices singing here are like that of godesses. This song truly serves as a reminder to all of native Europe's beauty.
@Neilos-sd6ti
More like olympus,
@chadkuhn555
We are in Midgard.
@Nanyalin
My head is about to explode from Beauty Overload. Amazing version of the classic, great stylization, amazing composition and, basically, an stunning display of talent. Bravo girls, bravissimo.
@cuttlefisch
They are just magnificent.
@HerodTheGreatBloodyMaster
I came here because of the loveliness of Emily Ovenden, but I've even more mesmerized because the atmosphere of the music! Superlative!
@waynewalls5033
They are truly astounding live. Saw them a few years ago at Leicester Cathedral, and before then at the Tabernacle in London, and both times were simply stunning, spellbinding, beautiful. Their talents know no bounds, quite simply these ladies are majestic. Their linguistic skills are mind blowing, and their voices are not of this world. Incredible performers and vocalists.