The programme dedicated to the great Guillaume de Machaut is a celebration of medieval courtly lyricism. Machaut spent much of his life in the service of the Bohemian King John of Luxembourg and is one of the most important composers and poets of the 14th century whose name is well known.

In his early work, Le Jugement du Roy de Behaigne, the narrator hears a debate between a lady (whose lover is dead) and a knight (betrayed by his lady); the narrator, in order to declare one or the other most unhappy, seeks the advice of the Bohemian King to declare one of them the victor.

The rich text of courtly lyricism is complemented by Machaut’s various musical works expressing states of human mind.