The annual York Early Music Festival is a celebration of music from the 18th century and earlier – with concerts, recitals, workshops and lectures held in a number of venues in this historic city.
It first took place in 1977 and features mainly classical works – many of which are rarely performed these days.
This year’s theme is musical marriages, with pieces written for weddings – from intimate personal pieces to majestic ceremonial occasions – along with pieces chosen because they reflect a figurative marriage of musical styles.
The festival opens in York Minster with Monteverdi’s Vespers, written in 1610. Works by Robert Schumann (to celebrate the 200th anniversary of his birth), and those of a host of other composers, also feature in a very rich and interesting schedule.
Artists
This year’s solo artists include:
Barbara Schlick (soprano)
James Gilchrist (tenor)
Peter Seymour (accompanist)
Hopkinson Smith (lute)
Mahan Esfahani (harpsichord)
Ensembles include:
The Bach Players
La Capella Ducale
Ensemble Lucidarium
Fretwork.
London Baroque
Musica Fiata
The Sixteen
Theatre of the Ayre
Venues
Besides the Minster, the other venues for this year’s concerts are the National Centre for Early Music in Walmgate, the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall at the University of York, the C4C Chapel at York St John University, St George’s RC Church in Peel St, the Merchant Adventurers’ Hall in Fossgate, the Unitarian Chapel in St Saviourgate, All Saints Church in North St, Harewood House, Bedern Hall in St Andrewgate, St and Michael le Belfrey Church in High Petergate.
In previous years, the following people have performed at the festival:
Robin Blaze
The Ebor Singers
Ex Cathedra
I Fagiolini
Emma Kirkby
Giles Lewin
Josetxu Obregon
The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
Rachel Podger
Jordi Savall
The Sixteen
Find out more
Contact the National Centre for Early Music for more details and a full schedule at www.ncem.co.uk
The National Centre for Early Music, St Margaret’s Church, Walmgate, York
T: 01904 658 338 – Box Office
T: 01904 632 220 – Admin
E: info@ncem.co.uk