Medieval Beasts to bring musical love story to Minden

The medieval tale of Tristan and Iseult came to Patrick Ball when he found a tiny book tucked between some large folios in a library.

"I was in the right place, in the right mood and it was the right time," said Ball. "I was captivated by the book and the medieval design on the cover. It reminded me of a children's pop-up book where the story just popped up in front of me.

"What I love about it is that the story is thrilling and romantic and tragic."

The legend of the Cornish knight and Irish princess went on to be Ball's "The Flame of Love," performed by the Medieval Beasts on Saturday at the CVIC Hall in Minden.

"The Flame of Love, the Legend of Tristan & Iseult," is presented in the words of a medieval storyteller with music played on the ancient instruments. The Medieval Beasts are Ball on Celtic harp, Shira Kammen on vielle and medieval harp, and Tim Rayborn on lute, psaltery and medieval harp.

The Celtic romance of Tristan and Iseult first appeared in the 12th century and was told in story and poetry in many versions.

"The version I found and adapted was from the 20th century translation from the French by Hilaire Belloc," Ball said. "I love the characteristics of the prose and the beauty of the writing. There's something enchanting about the phrasing. It takes you back to the way they expressed things in the Middle Ages.

"I finally met two other musicians, early music performers. I retold the story and they fit the music to that story."

Northern California resident Ball took piano lessons as a child and later picked up the guitar and tin whistle. But he knew he wanted to play the harp the first time he heard it.

"When I heard the sound of the instrument, I knew I wanted to be a professional harp player," he said. "The harp was the only instrument I wanted to practice."

Ball plays a brass-strung Celtic harp, weighing about 25 pounds. The smaller Gothic or medieval harp, played in the show by Shira Kammen, is like the harps played throughout Europe by traveling minstrels.

"Even though Tristan and Iseult is an old story, what I love is that we've had audiences from young to old and in all walks of life, and it touches everyone. People suspend doubts and disbelief during the show," said Ball.

"It's very gratifying when you work on something you like and it's so appealing to the audience."

Ball has recorded seven instrumental and three spoken word albums, which have sold more than a half million copies internationally, and has won national awards in music and spoken word categories.

Learn more about Ball at www.patrickball.com

Proceeds from "The Flame of Love" benefit the Carson Valley Arts Council and the Wild Horse Children's Theater.