Musicians from the early-music ensemble Collectio Musicorum were practicing a 17th-century round on a recent afternoon in Manhattan. The tune was jaunty, full of the cantering rhythms and mimetic horn calls that fit a song about hunting. But sung in canon, some of the notes bumped roughly against one another in daring dissonance. Jeff Dailey, the group’s director, glanced up encouragingly from his music stand. Remember, you’re drunk at this point.”The performers were preparing a program of songs, ballads and rounds from Shakespeare plays that brings to life the tunes scholars think might have been part of the earliest productions.

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Persons: Collectio Musicorum, Jeff Dailey, glanced, you’ve, Shakespeare, Shepherd, Robert Johnson, Thomas Morley, Dailey, ” Organizations: Faith Presbyterian Church, Globe Theater Locations: Manhattan, “