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
MAY
Sun 18: Live Lute Music played by Nick Gravestock. 10.30 at the 1620’s House, Donington le Heath. Free with normal admission fee. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Fri 23 – Sun 25 May: Beverley and East Riding Early Music Festival has a Georgian theme and includes a concert and an afternoon workshop by Stile Antico, Florilegium and Rowan Pierce, The York Waits, Ensemble Augelletti and others. Beverley is a compact town and most places can be reached on foot – a nice place for a weekend! www.ncem.uk/whats-on/bmemf/
May 24: de Mowbray’s Musicke perform at Medieval May. 10.30 – 1.30 in Gainsborough Old Hall, Parnell Street, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 2NB.
Sat 31: In Music is such Art – sacred and secular music by Guerrero, Jacquet de Berchem, Jacquet de Mantau, Massaino and Palestrina – sung by Luminatus. 7.30 in St Mary and St Giles, Stony Stratford, MK11 1BD. 10% discount for MEMF members quoting MEMF25 https://luminatus.co.uk
JUNE
Weds 04: Love’s Vagaries: baroque cantatas and songs on the theme of love – Northwick Baroque. 1pm at St Mary’s Church, Ross on Wye, HR9 5HN Free with retiring collection. https://rossparishes.uk/lunchtime-concerts/
Sat 07: Gloriana – a Reconstruction of the Coronation of Elizabeth1 – Luceat Choir. 7pm in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon with pre-concert talk at 6.45. Full details and tickets at https://www.htcfom.co.uk
Weds 11: Love’s Vagaries, as above – 1pm in St Laurence Parish Church, Ludlow, SY8 1AN https://www.facebook.com/northwickearlymusic
Thurs 12 – Sat 14: Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas + Fêtes Galantes by Ethel Smyth performed by Students from the RBC’s Vocal and Operatic studies. 7pm and (+2pm on the 14th) in the Bradshaw Hall, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events/
Fri 13: Lute concert by Nick Gravestock at the 1620’s House, Donington le Heath. Details tba https://1620shouse.org.uk
Sat 14: Rejoice and Sing: Palestrina’s Missa Confitebor tibi Domine – TVEMF workshop with David Allinson in Coleshill, Amersham – not too far from East Midlands members. www.tvemf.org.uk
Sun 15: Students from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire perform Early Music. 3.30 in the Bishop’s Palace, Deansway, Worcester (not the Angel Centre) https://www.earlymusicworcs.org
Sun 15: Live Lute Music played by Nick Gravestock. 10.30 at the 1620’s House, Donington le Heath. Free with normal admission fee. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Fri 20: The Sixteen’s Choral Pilgrimage: Hildegard of Bingen, Taverner, Will Todd and other modern composers. 7pm in Derby Cathedral. www.thesixteen.com
Sat 21: Handel: Saul – Derby Bach Choir. Details www.derbybachchoir.com
Sat 28: Songs of Love and Devotion, sacred and divine love including Palestrina. Guerrero. Jacquet de Mantua, Pilkington, Monteverdi and Passeron. – Luminatus. 7.30 in Church of St Mary and All Saints, Fotheringhay. 10% discount for MEMF members quoting MEMF25 https://luminatus.co.uk
Sat 28: Vivaldi: Gloria, Handel: Zadok the Priest, JS Bach: Magnificat – choirs of St Mary’s Collegiate Church, Warwick. 7.30 in the church. www.stmaryswarwick.org.uk
Sat 28: Luttrell Psalter Show: this Medieval manuscript in the British Library contains images of 17 different instruments all of which you will see and hear in the show – de Mowbray’s Musicke. 6.30 in All Saint’s Church, Winterton, Scunthorpe, DN15 9TU www.demowbray.info
Sun 29: Luttrell Psalter Show (as above) 2pm in the Nag’s Head, Saltby, Melton Mowbray, LE14 4RN. www.demowbray.info
Sun 29: Palestrina at Wolhampcote – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in Wolfhampcote Church, CV23 8AR. www.fiori-musicali.com
JULY
Fri 04 – Fri 11: York Early Music Festival includes Fretwork, Tallis Scholars, The Sixteen, Rose Consort of Viols and Academy of Ancient Music. www.ncem.co.uk/whats-on/yemf/
Sat 05: Bach Magnificat & Reena Esmail’s ‘This Love Between Us, Prayers for Unity’ – Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir + BeauchampSinfonietta, table & sitar . 7.30 in All Saints Church, Leamington Spa. www.rlsbc.org
Sun 06: Made in Italy – Passacaglia Duo: Annabel Knight recorders and baroque flute and Robin Bigwood harpsichord. 3.30pm in the Old Baptist Chapel, Old Baptist Chapel Court, off Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ Book tickets at the John Moore Museum, or from 01684 850112 or online at oldchapelcourtconcerts.eventbrite.com
Sat 12: A Celebration of Elizabethan Music – Coventry Cathedral Chorus. 7pm in St John’s Church, Kenilworth. Tickets £20 in advance, £25 on the door. www.coventrycathedralchorus.com
Sat 12: A celebration of Gibbons at 400 – The Linarol Consort with William Purefoy. 1pm in the Grove auditorium, Magdalen College, Oxford. Part of Oxford Festival of the Arts https://artsfestivaloxford.org
Sun 13: Trumpet in the Garden – Fiori Musicali. Picnic baskets available. 4,30 at Coton Manor, Coton, Nr Guilsborough. www.fiori-musicali.com
Sun 13: Ypotryll: a Medieval Concert by Simon Pickard, Karen Jones and Rachel Tedd on various instruments. 2.30 in the Old Baptist Chapel, Old Baptist Chapel Court, off Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ. Limited spaces – tickets from the John Moore Museum, from 01684 297174 or online at https://events.liveit.io/john-moore-museum/ypotryll-a-medieval-concert/
Tues 15: Beowulf – Armonico. Guaranteed to excite the whole family – the story set to live music. 7pm in Warwick Hall, Kings High School, Warwick. www.armonico.org.uk
Weds 16: Fancies and Dances – music for recorder quartet from 15th to 21st Centuries with the Northwick Consort. 1pm at St Laurence Parish Church, Ludlow, SY8 1AN
Sun 20: Fiddlers Three – music from Charles II’s private Musick (Purcell and others) – Musical and Amicable Society. 1-2 in Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. www.amicables.co.uk
Sun 20: Live Lute Music played by Nick Gravestock. 10.30 at the 1620’s House, Donington le Heath. Free with normal admission fee. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Fri 25: Byrd: Mass for 5 voices interspersed by music by other musicians and poets persecuted or in exile – sung by Apollo5. 6.30 – 8 in St Mary’s church, Harvington, in aid of Harvington Hall. Tickets from 01562 777846 or www.harvingtonhall.co.uk Part of Harvington History Festival.
Sat 26 – Sat 02 Aug: Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas – Longborough Festival Opera, Near Moreton-in-Marsh. www.lfo.org.uk
Sun 27: Two Handel Organ Concertos – the New Titley Philharmonic Orchestra (one of the best kept secrets in the Marches amateur music-making world) give a rare concert to raise funds to restore the organ. 3pm in the Church of St Mary, Kington, HR5 3AG.
Sun 27: Hortus Musicus:Telemann, Bach, etc – Fiori Musicali. 6pm in Castle Ashby Church, NN7 1LQ. www.fiori-musicali.com
Mon 28: A Garden of Delights – Stile Antico. 2.30 in Hereford Cathedral – part of Three Choirs Festival. www.stileantico.co.uk
Tues 29: Handel: Alexander’s Feast – 3 Cathedral Choirs of the 3 choir’s Festival + Musical and Amicable Society. 7.30 in Hereford Cathedral. www.amicables.co.uk
AUGUST
Sat 02: The Virtuoso Harpsichord with Nathaniel Mander. 3pm in the Old Baptist Chapel, Old Baptist Chapel Court, off Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ Book tickets at the John Moore Museum, or from 01684 850112 or online at oldchapelcourtconcerts.eventbrite.com
Sun 03: Live Lute Music played by Nick Gravestock. 10.30 at the 1620’s House, Donington le Heath. Free with normal admission fee. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Sun 24: Con Arte e Maestria: the Art of the Flourish – Oliver Webber (violin) and Steven Devine (harpsichord). 3.30 pm in the Old Baptist Chapel, Old Baptist Chapel Court, off Church Street, Tewkesbury GL20 5RZ Book tickets at the John Moore Museum, or from 01684 850112 or online at oldchapelcourtconcerts.eventbrite.com
SEPTEMBER
Sat 13: The Sixteen’s Choral Pilgrimage: Hildegard of Bingen, Taverner, Will Todd and other modern composers. 9.30-12.30 Workshop, 3pm concert in Tewkesbury Abbey. www.thesixteen.com
Thurs 18: The Sixteen’s Choral Pilgrimage: Hildegard of Bingen, Taverner, Will Todd and other modern composers. 7.30 pm in Hereford Cathedral. www.thesixteen.com
Sun 21: Live Lute Music played by Nick Gravestock. 10.30 at the 1620’s House, Donington le Heath. Free with normal admission fee. https://1620shouse.org.uk
Thurs 25: The Sixteen’s Choral Pilgrimage: Hildegard of Bingen, Taverner, Will Todd and other modern composers. 7.30 in Southwell Minster. www.thesixteen.com
Sat 27 – Sun 28: Banbury Music Festival.
Sat 27: JS Bach: Mass in B Minor – Armonico. 7.30 in St.Mary’s Church, Warwick. 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
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.