La Dive Bouteille

Renaissance cabaret inspired by the novel “Vie très horrificque du Grand Gargantua, père de Pantagruel” by Rabelais !

In this programme the musicians of Doulce Mémoire achieve their desire to be musicians, actors and dancers, as in Renaissance times. The audience is treated to a joyous, riotous, inventive non-stop entertainment, presenting the important themes of the Renaissance, as developed in the works of François Rabelais (the expression ‘la dive bouteille’, which gives the show its name, is a reference to wine).

Performed in costume by a singer, three instrumentalists (who act as well) and an actor, this show presents music that is mentioned in the works of Rabelais – folk music, dance songs and art music. The composers are those of the court of Francis I. All sorts of Renaissance instruments join in the celebration: zither, lute, Renaissance guitar, cittern, recorders, shawms, dulcina, and even a tournebout (a type of crumhorn).