Ensemble Molière
Flavia Hirte flute, Alice Earle violin, Catriona McDermid bassoon
Kate Conway viola da gamba, Satoko Doi-Luck harpsichord
The King’s Playlist
Charpentier Ouverture from ‘Les Arts Florissants’
Lully Premier et Deuxièmes Air from ‘Phaéton’
Couperin Deuxième Concert from ‘Concerts Royaux’
Charpentier Le Mariage Force
Delalande Première Suite from ‘Symphonies pour les soupers du Roy’
Anon Ballet Royal de la Nuit
Marais Suite en Sol Mineur from ‘Trios pour le coucher du Roy’
The first ever Radio 3 New Generation Baroque Ensemble finishes the season in the Court of the Sun King, Louis XIV, with a soundtrack of music written and dedicated to every moment of the King’s Day.
£27 | £17 | £12
(£1 children / students)
Valencia Baryton Trio
Matthew Baker baryton | Estevan de Almeida Reis viola | Benjamin Birtle cello
Haydn & Friends
Haydn Baryton Trio No 67 in G
Lidl Divertimento No 4 in C
Tomasini Baryton Trio in C K19
Haydn Baryton Trio No 113 in D
Lidl Divertimento No 6 in G
Haydn Baryton Trio No 58 in D
A rare opportunity to hear and see a baryton, an extraordinary string instrument that was favoured and played by Prince Nicholas at the Court in Esterhazy. Haydn composed some 80 string quartets, 104 symphonies, but in a golden decade (1765-75), he wrote nearly 200 works featuring the baryton, including 123 Trios. Luigi Tomasini, born in Pesaro, was leader of the orchestra at Esterhazy and the Austrian virtuoso gamba player Andreas Lidl eventually moved to London where he died in 1789. The Valencia Trio regularly tours North and South America and in Europe and in June 2023 gave two concerts in the English Haydn Festival in Bridgnorth.
£27 | £17 | £12
(£1 children / students)
Stile Antico
Dante: A Divine Hope
Dante Alighieri’s Comedia (Divine Comedy) is considered one of the greatest works of literature ever written. Its enduring imagery has shaped our western culture’s views and understanding of the afterlife for more than 700 years. With this programme, Stile Antico descends with Il Divino into Hell, journeys together through Purgatory, and finally arrives at the gates of Heaven. Renaissance madrigals and sacred music by composers such as Victoria, Palestrina, and Morales illustrate the way, and texts by Dante himself, set to music by Lazzaschi and Merulo, also narrate the story. At the pinnacle of Heaven we meet the Virgin Mary in Giovanni Gabrieli’s glorious 12-part Magnificat.
£29 | £19 | £14
(£1 children / students)
Joglaresa
Katharine Hawnt voice, Victoria Couper voice & harp, May Robertson fidel
Jordan Murray percussion & dulcimer, Jonny Akerman percussion
Sing we Yule
Celebrate Yule effervescently with Joglaresa – and chase out the chill from the Celtic fringes of Europe – with traditional carols and wassails from Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. With fidel, harp, bells and voices, Joglaresa ring in Christmas and New Year in this joyful programme of carols, lullabies, dance tunes and wassails. Joglaresa’s cleverly imaginative programming transcends the limits of what is often thought of as early music, and the ensemble has made many visits over the years since its formation in 1992.
Concert generously supported by Michael & Pat Bird
£27 | £17 | £12
(£1 children / students)
includes mulled wine and mince pies
Helen Charlston mezzo-soprano
with the Chelys Consort of Viols
Ibi Aziz | Jenny Bullock | Kate Conway | Alison Kinder | Sam Stadlen
The Honour of William Byrd
If musical output gives us an indication of the person within, then who is this man who is both devoutly Catholic yet clearly a favourite of the Protestant Queen who made his faith illegal? A character capable of both weighty contemplation and sharp wit, and the loyal friend who wrote so personally and touchingly of the loss of his teacher and friend Thomas Tallis. This programme explores the proud Englishman, devoted friend, loyal subject, and faithful servant who was William Byrd.
Concert generously supported by Diane Holt
£27 | £17 | £12
(£1 children / students)
Ex Cathedra
Jeffrey Skidmore director | Martha McLorinan mezzo-soprano | James Robinson tenor
Rachmaninoff All Night Vigil (‘Vespers’)
Audience favourites Ex Cathedra and Jeffrey Skidmore return to St Marys with Rachmaninoff’s most-loved choral work to round off a season celebrating the composer’s 150th year. Powerful, passionate, hypnotic – in a time of turmoil and amid the shock of war, Rachmaninoff turned to the choral heritage he held dear, and created one of the most awe-inspiring vocal masterpieces. With its luminous choral tapestry, mesmeric melodies and some of the lowest notes you’ll ever hear sung, there is little wonder it is beloved by audiences and singers alike.
Concert generously supported by Helen & Stan Ireland
£29 | £19 | £14
(£1 children / students)