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
Weds 17: Elizabethan Consort Music – the Lachrimae Consort. 1pm in St Lawrence’s Church, 2 College Street, Ludlow, SY8 1AN
Thurs 18: Henry Purcell’s King Arthur – Armonico consort + baroque orchestra. 7.30 in St.Mary’s Church, Warwick. www.armonico.org.uk
Thurs 18: Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas – Gabrieli Roar (school children and world-class soloists). 6pm in Nevill Holt Opera, Market Harborough, Leicestershire. https://www.continuoconnect.com/artists/gabrieli
Sat 20: The Colossal Baroque – MEMF workshop for voices and instruments with Dr Stephen Bullamore in St Mary Magdalene Church, Newark-on-Trent, Notts. Music, subject to confirmation, to include large scale works for voices, strings, wind and brass at pitch A=440 by Giovanni Gabrieli (Venice), Heinrich Schütz (Dresden), Orazio Benevoli (Rome), Heinrich Biber (Salzburg), M.A Charpentier (Paris)
Sat 20: La Serenissima: an hour of music from C17th Venice followed by refreshments – Nottingham Bach Choir with His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts. 3pm at St Mary’s in the Lace Market, Nottingham. https://nottinghambachchoir.uk
Sat 20: Live Lute music played from 1pm by Nick Gravestock in the 1620’s House, Manor Road, Donnington le Heath, Coalville, LE67 2FW. Included with normal house admission. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Sat 20 – Sun 21: Oxford Festival of the Arts Early Music Weekend:
Musica d’Outrora, Palisander, New College choir, Bellot Ensemble
Dowland’s Foundry, Lowe Ensemble & Nicholas Mulroy with Elizabeth Kenny. https://www.continuoconnect.com/festivals/oxford-early-music-weekend
Sun 21: Come and Sing Choral Evensong. Rehearsal at 3.30 followed by service at 6.30 in St Mary’s Church, Stafford. Part of St Mary’s Festival https://www.stmarysfestival.info
Weds 24: Henry Purcell’s King Arthur – Armonico Consort + Baroque orchestra. 7.30 in Malvern Theatres. www.malvern-theatres.co.uk
Thurs 25: Henry Purcell’s King Arthur – Armonico Consort + Baroque orchestra. 7.30 in the Confetti flower fields of Wyke Manor (open air), Pershore. More details if you click on book a ticket. www.armonico.org.uk
Turs 25: Early Music Concert – English Wind Consort. 7pm in St Mary’s Church, Stafford. Part of St Mary’s Festival June 20 – July 05. https://www.stmarysfestival.info
Fri 26: Da Pacem – Saxophonist Chris Gumbley weaves improvised sounds aroundearly polyphony sung by the Da Pacem Singers and Fish From Oblivion. 8pm in St Mary’s Church, Stafford. Info as above.
Sat 27: Fine Knacks for Ladies – Northwick Recorder Consort. 11am in St Michael and All Angels, Ledbury (coffee and cakes from 10.30). Details at https://www.facebook.com/northwickearlymusic
Sat 27: Red Priest baroque Quartet. 7pm in Dore Abbey, Abbeydore, Herefordshire. : https://concertsforcraswall.org/product/red-priest/
Sat 27: Handel Dixit Dominus & CPE Bach Magnificat – Sinfonia Chorale & the Baroque Ensemble.7.30 in St John’s Parish Church, Beeston, NG9 1EJ. Tickets from 0115 9606236 or https://www.sinfoniachorale.uk/
Sat 27: Choral Workshop with Jeff Stewart exploring seven centuries of Sacred music. 10 – 4.30. Part of St Mary’s Festival June 20 – July 05. https://www.stmarysfestival.info
Sun 28: Dufay’s Missa Se La Face Ay Pale – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in St Peter’s Church, Wolfhamcote, CV23 8AR https://fiori-musicali.com
Sun 28: Baroque Concert: music by Bach, Handel, Vivaldi & Telemann – Mercia Baroque (violin, recorder, cello, theorbo & harpsichord). 3pm in St Mary’s Church, Stafford. Part of St Mary’s Festival https://www.stmarysfestival.info
Dufay –Palettps://concertsforcraswall.org/product/red-priest///concertsforcraswall.org/product/red-priest/
JULY
Weds 01: Fine Knacks for Ladies – Northwick Recorder Consort.1pm in St Laurence’s Ludlow. Details at https://www.facebook.com/northwickearlymusic
Sat 04: Music by Dowland and Purcell – Tristram Cooke (counter-tenor) and Peter Martin (lute and theorbo). 11am in St Mary’s Church, Stafford. Free. Part of St Mary’s Festival https://www.stmarysfestival.info
Sat 04: A Date with Shakespeare: a summer concert with Songs and Readings – Birmingham Bach Choir. 3.30 in St Magdalene Church, Bridgnorth. www.birmingham.bachchoir.com
Sun 05: JS Bach: Cello suites 1,3 & 5 played by Andrew Skidmore. 3.30 in the Old Baptist Chapel, off Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ. Details from 01684 850112 or oldchapelcourt@btinternet.com Tickets from Eventbrite.
Sat 04: Divine and Earthly Delights – Luminatus Ensemble. 3.30 in St Editha’s Church, Tamworth. https://www.continuoconnect.com/events
Sun 05: Live Lute music played from 1pm by Nick Gravestock in the 1620’s House, Manor Road, Donnington le Heath, Coalville, LE67 2FW. Included with normal house admission. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Weds 08: Hark How the Songsters: Baroque cantatas and songs for soprano and recorders – Northwick Baroque. 1pmat St Laurence Parish Church, Ludlow. https://www.facebook.com/northwickearlymusic
Tues 14: Cries of London – Pallisander Recorder Ensemble. 2.30 in St Michael’s Church, Lichfield (part of the Festival) https://lichfieldfestival.org
Weds 15 – Sat 18: Lewes Baroquefest. thebaroquecollective.org.uk
- culminates on Sat 18th in a performance of Handel’s Acis & Galatea.
Sat 11: Greensleeves, a concert of music for soprano recorders and keyboard from the pastoral tradition – Northwick Trio. 12 noon at St Andrew’s Church, Stockton on Teme. Stay for tea and look at the floral displays. Free with retiring collection. https://www.facebook.com/northwickearlymusic
Sun 12: Hark How the Songsters Baroque cantatas and songs for soprano and recorders– Northwick Baroque. 12 noon at St Andrew’s Church, Stockton on Teme. Stay for tea and look at the floral displays. Free with retiring collection. https://www.facebook.com/northwickearlymusic
Sat 11: Vivaldi’s Gloria + Bob Chilcott et al – Wombourne Choral Society .7.30 at Beckminster Methodist Church, Wolverhampton. https://www.wombournechoralsociety.org
Thurs 23 – Sun 26: Dowland 400th Anniversary Festival at the Octagon in Norwich includes talks, concerts. master-classes and participatory events. A full list of Dowland events this year can be found at https://www.lutesociety.org/pages/dowland-400
Fri 24: A Box of Delights: Renaissance and Baroque music and song –Sixteen Eighty Five (Early Music Group). 1.30 in Southwell Minster. NG25 0HD Free with retiring collection. www.sixteen85.co.uk
Sat 25: John Taverner: Masses and Motets – MEMF workshop for voices with Patrick Allies in Dorridge Village Hall.
Sat 25: This Holy Place: music by Byrd, Tallis,MacMillan, Palestrina, Bruckner & Arvo Pärt, sung by Apollo5 (Voces8 Foundation). 6.30 in St Mary’s Church, Harvington opposite Harvington Hall. Tickets from www.harvingtonhall.co.uk or Tel: 01562 777846 and going fast.
Sun 26: Castle Ashby Concert: Vivaldi & Boccherini with Christoph Denoth (guitarist) – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in St Mary Magdalene Church, Castle Ashby, NN7 1LQ. https://fiori-musicali.com
AUGUST
Sat 08: Newe Vialles – Old Viols – Henrik Persson and Caroline Ritchie play fantasias, dances, and divisions including Playford on spectacular and historically important viola da Gambas. 4pm in the Old Baptist Chapel, off Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ. Details from 01684 850112 or oldchapelcourt@btinternet.com Tickets from Eventbrite.
Sat 09 – Sun 09: Early sacred music Singing Weekend (Weelkes, Arnold, Lotti, Gabrieli and others) in Coventry Cathedral with the Willan Singers. Contact andrew.holtan@gmail.com
Tues 11: Concert of Music by Byrd, Telemann, Vivaldi, Purcell et al – Sixteen Eighty Five (Early Music Group). 1.05pm in All Saints’ Church, Gainsborough, DN21 2JR. Free with retiring collection. www.sixteen85.co.uk
Sun 16: Pied Piper Remembered: the Wheel of Fortune celebrating the life and work of David Munrow – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in St Mary the Virgin & All Saints, Fotheringhay. https://fiori-musicali.com
Sat 29: From Here to There – a Journey through time and Place: songs and instrumental music by Byrd, Gibbons, Vivaldi and Telemann – Sixteen Eighty Five (Early Music Group) 2.30 in St Andrew’s Church, Redbourne, DN21 4QN. www.sixteen85.co.uk
Sun 30: Mozart for strings and flute – the Musical and Amicable Society. 3.30 in the Old Baptist Chapel, off Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ. Details from 01684 850112 or oldchapelcourt@btinternet.com Tickets from Eventbrite.
Sun 30: Live Lute music played from 1pm by Nick Gravestock in the 1620’s House, Manor Road, Donnington le Heath, Coalville, LE67 2FW. Included with normal house admission. https://1620shouse.org.uk
SEPTEMBER
Sat 05: Handel’s Dixit Dominus – Castle Baroque Players. 7.30 at Sutton Elms Baptist Church, Leicester.
Thurs 10: The Choral Pilgrimage: Spanish renaissance, Macmillan and Briggs – the Sixteen. 7.30 in Hereford Cathedral. https://thesixteen.com
Sat 12: MEMF Workshop for Voices and Instruments with Mark Wilson in Stafford.
Sat12: The Choral Pilgrimage: Spanish renaissance, Macmillan and Briggs – the Sixteen. 3pm in Tewkesbury Abbey. https://thesixteen.com
Sat 12: An Overture, an Aria, a Suite and a triple Concerto: music by Handel, Telemann, Vivaldi and Eccles – Warwickshire Baroque. 3pm in The Church of Our Lady, Merevale, CV9 2LA. Tickets £10 on the door include refreshments.
Thurs 17: A Box of Delights: Renaissance and Baroque music and song –Sixteen Eighty Five (Early Music Group). 12 noon in the Priory of St Mary & St Cuthbert, Worksop, S80 2BU. Free www.sixteen85.co.uk
Fri 18 – Sun 20: Discoed Early Music Weekend (non-residential) – see details in Summer Schools.
Sat 19: Live Lute music played from 1pm by Nick Gravestock in the 1620’s House, Manor Road, Donnington le Heath, Coalville, LE67 2FW. Included with normal house admission. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Sun 20: Love’s Labyrinth: Songs and duets by Monteverdi and contemporaries. – the Gonzaga Band (Faye Newton, soprano, Jamie Savan, cornett, and Steven Devine, keyboard). 3.30 in the Old Baptist Chapel, off Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ. Details from 01684 850112 or oldchapelcourt@btinternet.com Tickets from Eventbrite.
Sat 26: Supersize Polyphony 3: Venetian Blinders – Armonico. 7.30 in St Mary’s Warwick. Tickets on sale soon www.armonico.org.uk
#Online Music and Talks
Continuo Connect is the Continuo Foundation‘s digital initiative, and along with early music concert listings round the country and artist profiles, it has editorial features on early music and musicians. On their website, click on Features for interviews, playlists and insightful essays and sign up for the twice monthly Newsletter
A reminder about Jamulus, first set up during Covid Lockdown for singing and playing together over the internet. A small group still sing regularly on line using Jamulus software which synchronises the delay times and where one can balance the volumes of all the others singing.
They usually meet on Monday and Friday evenings and sing Renaissance sacred and secular music from their own Drive or from CPDL and sing one to a part selecting music to suit their voices at the time. Reasonable sight reading ability and a good internet connection are essential. At present they are SSATTB so another Alto and Bass would be particularly welcome. If you are interested please contact Keith Hitchcock: keith.hitchcock1@gmail.com or ring 0121 355 8247
There is more about Jamulus, including links to further information, on the early music online page. Click here and scroll down to Technology.
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.