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
APRIL
Sat 06: Masters of Imitation from Lassus & Josquin to Chilcott – The Sixteen Choral Pilgrimage. 7.30 in St John the Evangelist, Oxford. Plus a workshop 11.30 – 2.30. www.thesixteen.com
Fri 12: Mozart Mass in C Minor & JS Bach Magnificat – Armonico. 7.30 in Malvern Theatres. www.armonico.org.uk
Sat 13: Mozart Mass in C Minor & JS Bach Magnificat – Armonico. 7.30 in St Mary’s Church, Warwick. www.armonico.org.uk
Sat 13: Ego Flos Campi – Spanish and Portuguese Polyphony TVEMF workshop with Owen Rees in the Chapel of Queen’s College, Oxford. www.tvemf.org.uk
Sat 13: Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Spring Recorder Festival includes playing opportunities for all ages, Masterclasses, lunchtime and evening concerts, and trade stands. www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events-calendar
- – Renaissance in Europe – concert by English Wind Consort. 1pm in the Recital Hall.
- – All About the Bass – concert by Annabel Knight (bass recorders & flute), Reiko Ichise (viola da Gamba) and Robin Bigwood (keyboards).7pm in the Recital Hall.
Sun 14: Recorder Festival continued includes talks and foyer events, chance for your own ensemble to perform. www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire/events-calendar
- – Festival Jamboree Concert – a new work for massed recorders by Riko Suzuki dedicated to Ross Winters, RBC’s former Head of Recorder. 4pm in the Recital Hall.
Fri 19: Masters of Imitation from Lassus & Josquin to Chilcott – The Sixteen Choral Pilgrimage. 7.30 in Derby Cathedral. www.thesixteen.com
Sun 21: Come and Sing Vivaldi’s Gloria with the Central England Camerata, part of Hagley Music Festival, in St John’s Church, Hagley. Rehearsal from 2-5, Concert at 7.30 to include Violin Concerto by Andrew Downes. Scores available from the back of St Saviour’s Church, Park Road, Hagley, DY9 0NS. For details contact Anna Downes on 07967 728588 or ardviolinist@gmail.com
Sat 27: A Musical Stroll Through Italy and Germany – music for oboe, recorders and strings by Handel, Bach, Telemann, Albinoni and others – Warwickshire Baroque. 2.30 in Merevale Church, near Atherstone, CV9 2LA. Includes refreshments. Tickets £10 from Pru Allington-Smith 01827 825701 or 07970 104398 or on the door.
Sat 27: Come and Sing Puccini’s Messa di Gloria with the Birmingham Bach Choir. 2-6 in the United Reform Church, Wylde Green. www.birminghambachchoir.com/concerts
Sat 27: Music with friends sing choral music by Byrd, Guerrero, Moulu, Tallis, etc. 7.30 in St Mary and All Saints Church, Fillongley, Warwickshire, CV7 8ET. Free entry, donations requested.
Sat 27: Bach Motets – Stratford Chamber Choir. 7.30 in the Guild Chapel, Stratford, CV37 6EP. Tickets at www.stratfordchamberchoir.com or on the door.
Sat 27: A Day of West Gallery Music, for singers and players.10 – 4.30 in the Village Hall, Byfield. www.immanuelsground.com
Sun 28: Music with Friends sing choral music by Byrd, Guerrero, Tallis, etc. 4pm in the church of St Mary the Virgin, Hasely, Warwick CV35 7HA. Donations requested.
MAY
Fri 03: Baroque Trio sonatas – Borealis Ensemble (flute, oboe, cello and harpsichord). St John the Baptist Church, Leamington Spa CV31 3BN
Sat 04: Gabrieli Comes to Lincoln – a Renaissance workshop day for voices and instruments by A and G Gabrieli. Tutors: Greg Skidmore (of I Fagiolini) and Sue Addison (of His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts). 10 – 5 (with informal performance at 4.30) in Swallowbeck Methodist Church, Newark Road, Lincoln LN6 8RZ. Cost £30. Organiser leonardwendy19@gmail.com , details and booking at https://www.sixteen85.co.uk
Fri 10: Double Reed Baroque Ensemble – 2pm in the CBSO Centre, Berkley Street, Birmingham. https://bmusic.co.uk/whats-on
Fri 10 – Sun 12: Bristol Early Music Festival https://www.bristolearlymusicfestival.uk
Sat 11: 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
Sat 11: Come and Sing Messiah with the Royal Leamington Spa Bach Choir. 10.30 to 5pm with informal concert at 4.30.in St Mark’s Church, Leamington Spa. Details at www.rlsbc.org
Fri 17: Now What is love: Lute songs performed by Ayres and Graces . 7 – 9 pm in the 1620’s House, Donington le Heath, Coalville LE67 2FW. Book here or ring 01455 290429. Pre-booking essential. Refreshments available.
Thurs 23: CANCELLED Oz & Armonico: ALE-lelujah (Music by Purcell, Bach, Weelkes and others)- 7.30 in the Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa. www.armonico.org.uk
JUNE
Sat 01: Telemann, JS Bach & Fasch performed by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Early Music Ensemble. 12-1.00 in Birmingham Library, Centenary Square. Free.
Sun 02: 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. 3pm in St Paul’s Church, Daybrook Nottingham NG5 6BH. Tickets £12 on the door or see www.melismatachoir.com
Weds 05: Elizabethan Consort Music – The Lachrimae Consort.1-1.30 in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6BG. Refreshments from 12.30, Free entry with a retiring collection. www.lachrimaeconsort.co.uk
Weds 05: Harpsichord Day at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire includes:
- 1-2pm: JS Bach Partitas – Harpsichord recital by Robin Bigwood in the organ studio,
- 6-7pm: Solo and chamber music from the 16th to 18th centuries featuring the Conservatoire’s collection of harpsichords. Free. www.bcu.ac.uk/conservatoire
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
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
Thurs 27: Purcell’s Fairy Queen – Armonico. 7.30 in the Royal Pump Rooms, Leamington Spa. www.armonico.org.uk
Sat 29: Purcell’s Fairy Queen – Armonico. 7.30 in Malvern Theatres. www.armonico.org.uk
Sat 29: 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. 7.30 pm in St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Place, Stafford, ST16 2AR. Part of the Stafford music festival weekend. Tickets £12 on the door or see www.melismatachoir.com
JULY
Thurs 04: The Four Seasons + more Vivaldi and Hasse– Rachel Podger & Brecon Baroque. 7.30 in Lichfield Cathedral. https://lichfieldfestival.org/events/
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
Mon 29: Francesco Scarlatti’s Dixit Dominus & Vivaldi’s Gloria Family Come and sing with the Armonico Consort. 11am in College Hall, Worcester – part of the Three Choir’s Festival (July 27 – August 03). https://3choirs.org/events
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.