Here for your convenience you can find a list of events in our region not organised by MEMF which may be of interest to you. Whilst we have made every effort to be accurate, we suggest that you check details on the websites or phone numbers provided.
If you are aware of an event which is not listed here, please contact the Newsletter Editor
You might like to also visit the brilliant Early Music Website at https://earlymusicdiary.org.uk where you will find nationwide events organized into categories to assist your search.
And the Continuo Foundation’s new digital hub – a comprehensive concert finder of early music events (by region) across the UK – is at https://www.continuoconnect
Diary of Events in the Midlands
# Denotes an online event
Recent additions in Red
JUNE
Weds 12; Summer Music by Candlelight – Ex Cathedra. 8pm in Hereford Cathedral. www.excathedra.co.uk
- Thurs 13: As above – 8pm in St Peter’s Church, Wolverhampton.
- Fri 14: As above – 8pm in St Chad’s Church, Shrewsbury.
- Tues 18: As above – 8pm in St Paul’s Church, Birmingham.
- Weds 19: As above – 8pm in St Paul’s Church, Birmingham.
Thurs 13: Masters of Imitation from Lassus & Josquin to Chilcott – The Sixteen Choral Pilgrimage. 7.30 in Southwell Minster. www.thesixteen.com
Sun 16: Master Byrd A dramatic presentation with short monologues about the life, conditions of composition and music of William Byrd with works sung, unaccompanied, as they emerge from the narrative – Melismata, a capella choir. 5pm in St Mary’s Church, Plumtree, Nottingham NG12 5ND. Tickets £12 on the door or see www.melismatachoir.com
Sat 15: The Fire of Love, Ecstasy and of Passion (Hildegard, Tartini, Bach, etc). – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in St James’ Church, Edgcote, Nr Banbury OX17 1AG. www.fiori-musicali
Sun 16: Lute music played by Nick Gravestock in the 1620’s House, Manor Rd, Donington le Heath, Coalville LE67 2FW. One entrance ticket lasts all year. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Tues 18: I, Spie : Spooks meets Blackadder – centred around an extraordinary letter written by Renaissance composer/lutenist John Dowland to spymaster Sir Robert Cecil in 1595, this concert/play (where music and theatre collide) tells the story of how Dowland managed to foil an Italian plot on the life of Queen Elizabeth I and his ensuing grisly dealings with the Secret Service, soundtracked live with songs by Dowland, his contemporaries and lively tavern & courtly music, featuring Emily Baines and Ali Kinder on recorder. performed by The Telling. 7.30 in Stratford’s Play House. www.thetelling.co.uk
Sat 22– Sun 07 July: Weaving Dreams – Music Festival in St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Place, Stafford, ST16 2AR. Programme includes:
- Thurs 27: 1pm Lute Recital by Peter Martin
- Sat 29: 7.30pm Master Byrd performed by Melismata Choir (see 16th June above for details)
- Thurs 04: 1pm a selection of Shakespearian songs in ancient & modern settings with lute accompaniment.
Thurs 27: Purcell’s Fairy Queen – Armonico. 7.30 in the Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa. www.armonico.org.uk (see flyer after the end of the Newsletter)
Sat 29: Purcell’s Fairy Queen – Armonico. 7.30 in Malvern Theatres. www.armonico.org.uk (see flyer after the end of the Newsletter)
Sun 30: Renaissance at Wolfhamcote music by Josquin and Willaert – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in St Peter’s Church, Wolfhamcote, Nr Daventry, CV23 8AR. www.fiori-musicali.com
JULY
Mon 01: Cantare et Sonare: Songs and Duets of Monteverdi and his Contemporaries – The Gonzaga Band (Soprano, Cornett & organ/harpsichord). 1-2pm in the organ Studio, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. www.bcu.ac.uk
Thurs 04: The Four Seasons + more Vivaldi and Hasse– Rachel Podger & Brecon Baroque. 7.30 in Lichfield Cathedral. https://lichfieldfestival.org/events/
Thurs 04: Trumpeter Royal – Fiori Musicali with trumpeter David Blackadder. 6.30 pm in St Mary Magdalene, Geddington NN14 1AJ (Nr Corby) www.fiori-musicali.com
Sun 07: Music! That All-Persuading Art! Music for tenor, oboes, strings and keyboard by Handel, Boyce, Hoffmann and Albinoni.3pm in the Church of St Peter ad Vincula, Hampton Lucy, CV35 8BE. Free entry and refreshments, donations welcome.
Thurs 11: Music, Songs and Dances from the Luttrell Psalter (medieval) – concert by de Mowbray’s Musicke. 7.45 at Irnham Church, NG33 4JB. Tickets from https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/irnham/st-andrews-church/medieval-music-and-song-returns-to-irnham/e-jdvbgy
Thurs 11: Oz and Armonico Drink to Music…a Second Sip! 8pm Lichfield Festival, Lichfield. Box Office 02543306271 or www.armonico.org.uk
Sat 13: Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 – Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir with Charivari Agréable Ensemble. 7.30 in St Mark’s Church, Leamington Spa. www.rlsbc.org
Sun 14: Lute music played by Nick Gravestock in the 1620’s House, Manor Rd, Donington le Heath, Coalville LE67 2FW. One entrance ticket lasts all year. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Weds 17: Elizabethan Consort Music – The Lachrimae Consort. 1.10pm in St Alphege church, Church Hill Road, Soihull B91 3RQ. Refreshments beforehand, free entry with retiring collection. www.lachrimaeconsort.co.uk
Fri 19: Elizabethan Consort Music – The Lachrimae Consort. 7pm in the 1620’s House, Donington Heath, Coalville, Leics LE67 2FW.Pre-booking advisable on 01455 290429 or see www.1620shouse.org.uk
Sat 27: Northampton Recorder workshop day with Grace Barton of the Polyphonica Recorder Trio. From 10am, £35.Details and booking at https://www.polyphonicarecordertrio.com/workshops/
Sat 27: Three Choirs Festival, Worcester https://3choirs.org/events includes
- Tues 23Sat 2.30 in St Martin’s Church – violin and keyboard recital includes Corelli and Purcell.
- Sun 3.30 in College Hall – Tallis, Byrd and contemporary pieces.
- Mon 9.30 in Kings School Boathouse – Talk about Francesco Scarlatti
- Mon 11am in College Hall – Francesco Scarlatti’s Dixit Dominus & Vivaldi’s Gloria Family Come and sing with the Armonico Consort
- 2.30 in Worcester Cathedral – The Forgotten Scarlatti, Music by F.Scarlatti and Vivaldi – Armonico Consort www.armonico.org.uk
- Tues 9.30 in King’s School Boathouse – Whatever Happened to the Crumhorn
Sun 28: Baroque at Castle Ashby – Fiori Musicali with violinist Kerstin Linder-Dewan. 6pm in St Mary Magdalene, Castle Ashby, Northampton, NN7 1LQ. www.fiori-musicali.com
AUGUST
Sat 03: Father and Son – George Ross (cello), Alastair Ross (harpsichord)
Music by Geminiani, A Scarlatti and JS Bach. 3pm at the Old Baptist Chapel, Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ. Tickets from Eventbrite/John Moore Museum Tewkesbury. Information 01684 850112 oldchapelcourt@btinternet.com
Sun 04: Lute music played by Nick Gravestock in the 1620’s House, Manor Rd, Donington le Heath, Coalville LE67 2FW. One entrance ticket lasts all year. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Sun 11: Bach and Handel at Fotheringay – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in St Mary’s and All Saints, Fotheringay, Peterborough, PE8 5HZ www.fiori-musicali.com
SEPTEMBER
Sun 01: Lute music played by Nick Gravestock in the 1620’s House, Manor Rd, Donington le Heath, Coalville LE67 2FW. One entrance ticket lasts all year. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Thurs 12: Masters of Imitation from Lassus & Josquin to Chilcott – The Sixteen Choral Pilgrimage. 7.30 in Hereford Cathedral. www.thesixteen.com
Fri 13: Voces8 sing in the Forum Theatre, Malvern at 7.30. May not be any early music www.malvern-theatres.co.uk/whats-on
Sat 14: Masters of Imitation from Lassus & Josquin to Chilcott – The Sixteen Choral Pilgrimage. 3pm in Tewkesbury Abbey. Plus workshop 9.30 – 12.30 in Tewkesbury Parish Hall. www.thesixteen.com
#Online Music and Talks
Early Music Sources – a reminder of the wonderful series of illustrated talks by Elam Rotem, the latest being about Early Basso Continuo, to be found on YouTube at https://www.earlymusicsources.com/youtube
Sands Film studio is a Theatre, Cinema and Music Room. They developed live streaming during the Pandemic and have continued with a mixture of live and online concerts, many of them Early Music, films and theatre. All performances are free, but donations are requested. Sign up to their mailing list at https://www.sandsfilms.co.uk/cinema-club.html
The Following have many videos on YouTube:
Stile Antico – https://www.youtube.com/user/stileantico
Armonico Consort https://ondemand.armonico.org.uk
The Gesualdo Six https://www.thegesualdosix.co.uk/videos/
I Fagiolini https://www.youtube.com/c/IFagiolini/videos
Fretwork Viol Consort https://www.fretwork.co.uk/audio-video
The Academy of Ancient Music https://aam.co.uk/watch/
Wigmore Hall has an archive of live streamed concerts at https://wigmore-hall.org.uk/watch-listen/forthcoming-live-streams Occasionally new ones appear on a Monday morning if you’re signed up. Free but donations requested.
City Lit offers an extensive programme of online music history and music appreciation courses with a focus on Western classical music, Folk, Jazz, Rock and Pop, also many singing courses, There are new topics each year, some of them Early Music: https://www.citylit.ac.uk
Choral Chihuahua regular new episodes since the last Newsletter of chats between Robert Hollingworth and Eamonn Dougan and recently Nicholas Mulroy, about an hour long. Find the latest (and previous) episodes at https://play.acast.com/s/choral-chihuahua. Free but donations requested.