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04 Sep 2025 - 05 Sep 2025
University of Basel, Department of Musicology, Petersgraben 27, 4051 Basel, Vortragssaal
Society & Culture
Let there be Night: Musicking after Sunset in Early Modern EuropeInternational conference
Trophime Bigot, Maître à la Chandelle: Jeune Chanteur (1650, detail). (Image: Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco/Wikimedia | Public domain) The NightMuse project at the University of Basel explores the “night side” of music history, aiming to uncover the significance of musical activities that happened after sunset in Europe between 1500 and 1800.
NightMuse investigates how nighttime shaped musical practices, examining religious, secular, and theatrical musicking after dark. Inspired by research on historical sleep patterns—specifically, the common practice of “segmented sleep” with a wakeful period at night—the project evaluates how this nocturnal wakefulness was used for various cultural, religious, and social activities, including music.
We are pleased to announce that the first NightMuse conference will take place at the University of Basel on 4 and 5 September 2025. It will be complemented by a lecture-concert in collaboration with the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis.
The event will bring together project members and invited scholars to discuss ongoing research and future directions.
Registration
Admission to the conference is free. Please register by email no later than 1 September 2025 at nightmuse-mws@unibas.ch
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