Domna Lady - Review

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Fri 14 Mar 2025

Sacred Heart, Rosalie

Fractio Modi’s recent concert, “Medieval Female Nobility,” held in Brisbane, was a captivating exploration of the music and history surrounding the powerful and complex roles that women played in the medieval world. With a mix of academic rigour and musical artistry, the ensemble delivered an exceptional evening that skilfully combined historical depth with rich, resonant sound.


From time to time performances give us golden moments – memorable and magical. Such was the opening of this concert. A glorious pure rich high soprano voice rising into the heights of the acoustically wonderful building – timeless and unforgettable – the only work of Parotin’s to survive.

The program was an immersive journey into the world of the domna - a term used in the Occitan-speaking regions to describe female figures of authority. This was not merely a concert, but a narrative, drawing listeners into the lives and experiences of noblewomen of the 13th and 14th centuries. The inclusion of troubadour lyric poetry was a poignant reminder of the nuanced roles women played, expanding the conventional gender expectations of the time.

The musical selection was thoughtfully curated, presenting a mix of vocal and instrumental works. The 13th and 14th-century Spanish polyphony from the Las Huelgas Codex and Llibre Vermell grounded the performance in the spiritual and liturgical richness of the time, while works from the Rossi Codex added layers of intimacy and complexity. In addition, pieces from the celebrated composers Guillaume de Machaut, Gilles Binchois, and Perotin brought in the sophisticated polyphonic structures of the late medieval period. Each piece resonated with historical authenticity, yet the performance remained deeply engaging for both scholarly listeners and the wider public.

Fractio Modi’s ensemble, under the direction of Anne Levitsky, demonstrated extraordinary musicianship. Christina Nichols and Madeline Gibbs, both sopranos, brought delicate expressiveness and purity to their vocal performances. Their harmonies blended seamlessly, and their command over the subtle intricacies of early vocal music was impressive. Anne Levitsky, performing both as a soprano and on the hurdy-gurdy, added a distinctive texture to the sound, offering both a celestial voice and an evocative, ancient instrument.

Philip Griffin’s deft playing on the oud and vihuela provided a grounding rich timbre, while Aaron Brown’s rebec offered a haunting, melancholic resonance that highlighted the emotional depth of the program. Tunji Beier’s hand percussion added dynamic and rhythmic contrasts, guiding the flow of the performance with subtlety and precision.

The ensemble’s ability to convey both the grandeur and intimacy of medieval music was remarkable. The balance between scholarly attention to historical authenticity and the performance’s emotional power created a compelling atmosphere that transported the audience back to an era of political intrigue, courtly love, and complex gender dynamics. The concept of the domna was illuminated not only through the texts and music but also in the way the performers navigated and embodied the themes of power and grace.

Fractio Modi has truly cemented its place as one of Brisbane's premier early music ensembles, and their commitment to making Brisbane a centre for early music in Australia is both admirable and essential. This concert, in particular, exemplified their mission to perform early vocal music at the highest level while pushing the boundaries of how medieval and Renaissance music can be presented to modern audiences.



For anyone with an interest in early music, medieval history, or the powerful stories of women in the past, this concert clearly was an enriching experience. Your reviewer, neither a musicologist nor a historian nonetheless revelled in the sheer beauty and complexity being shared with us.

Fractio Modi continues to be a beacon of excellence, offering a rare and deeply moving glimpse into the medieval world, all the while enhancing Brisbane’s cultural landscape.


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