WELCOME TO THE BRIGHTON EARLY MUSIC FESTIVAL 2023

Finally we are back, by popular demand, as a full autumn festival after some challenging years! It was interesting, as we emerged from the worst of the pandemic, to experiment with spreading our activities throughout the seasons, and we do intend to continue some limited seasonal work, but the main focus is returned to three October weekends.

As we peer over the horizon and plan the future of BREMF in an unpredictable world, it is encouraging to see so much talent emerging and evolving. Our BREMF Live! Showcase (Event 13) will reveal some of tomorrow’s most promising ensembles while the preceding lunchtime concert, Battle Cry: She Speaks, features mezzosoprano Helen Charlston and lutenist Toby Carr, both former BREMF Live! artists and now winning major awards. Other former BREMF Live! artists, now leading performers, include Fieri Consort, Ensemble Hesperi and The Gesualdo Six who will honour the 400th anniversary of William Byrd’s death with an extraordinary immersive music drama, Secret Byrd, which is getting rave reviews around the world.

Our pre-events also return with something for every age group. Come and join us!

Deborah Roberts Artistic Director

Funders and partners:

We would like to thank our supporters and all of our Festival Friends. Without your generosity, Brighton Early Music Festival could not continue to bring top quality artists to Brighton or deliver its vital work in the community. Thank you!

Brighton Early Music Festival gratefully acknowledges financial support from Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants and charitable trusts including The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Trust and The Behrens Foundation, as well as funders who have confirmed support after this brochure went to print. Lighting design and supply for all Festival events provided by Natalie Rowland and Pitch Black.

EVENT 1

Saturday 16 September, 11am-5pm

Friends’ Meeting House

Choral Workshop

led by Andrew Carwood

The inimitable Andrew Carwood, director of music at St Paul’s Cathedral and director of multi-award-winning The Cardinall’s Musick, will lead a workshop for experienced choral singers on the music of two composers with anniversaries this year, William Byrd and William Cornysh. Participants should have reasonable sight reading skills, although music will be available in advance.

Registration: £20; for half price places see page 11

Saturday 23 September

The Byrd Crawl

Join BREMF Consort of Voices at short, free performances of music by William Byrd:

11am St Paul’s Church

12.15pm St Bartholomew’s Church

2.30pm Holy Cross Woodingdean

3.45pm St Margaret’s Rottingdean

See website for further details

PRE-FESTIVAL EVENTS

EVENT 2

Saturday 30 September 11am-5pm, St George’s Church

Playford 400 Workshop

led by Emily Baines

Play an early or folk instrument? Come and celebrate the 400th birthday anniversary of composer John Playford, playing music from The English Dancing Master, with the option to stay on and play in the band for the following ceilidh. All music supplied but aural players also welcome.

Registration: £20; for half price places see p11

Saturday 30 September, 6pm St George’s Church

The Playford 400 Ceilidh

An event for the feet, eyes and ears!

With a big band of participants from the previous workshop led by Emily Baines, fabulous music and a caller to teach the steps, this is going to be the liveliest ceilidh, with something for all age groups.

Tickets: £5; under 12s free

Saturday 7 October, 2.30-5.30pm

Brighton Unitarian Church

Festival Introduction

Find out more about what’s on at BREMF this year, with talks, discussions, short performances and a chance to ask questions and meet the BREMF team.

Tickets: £5

EVENT 4

Saturday 7 October, 10.30am & 12 noon, Brighton Unitarian Church

OAE TOTS -PACK YOUR BAGS! Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Climb aboard your imaginary scooter. Bring your clapping hands, singing voices and stamping feet for this lively concert for 2-5 year olds and their parents and carers.

Tickets: £8; under 12s free

Thursday 12 October, 7.30pm

Ironworks Studios

Freshly Ground Bass

Liturina baroque ensemble

Ground Bass Jazz Trio

A spicy collaboration between baroque and jazz musicians on popular basslines across the centuries.

Tickets: £15; for half price tickets see page 11 visit bremf.org.uk to find out more

EVENT 7

Friday 13 October, 6pm & 8.30pm, St Bartholomew’s Church

Secret Byrd

An immersive staged Mass celebrating the 400-year legacy of William Byrd

The Gesualdo Six

Owain Park director

Fretwork viol consort

Created and directed by Bill Barclay

Produced by Concert Theatre Works

Tickets: £30/£22; for half price tickets see page 11; under 12s free. Prom (standing) tickets £5 on the door

England’s finest composer was a covert Catholic facing brutal prosecution. Hear Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices as he intended: sung for private worship in strictest secrecy. The Gesualdo Six and Fretwork collaborate for the first time in a theatrical seance by candlelight that invites you inside the music like never before.

EVENT 8

Saturday 14 October, 1pm

Friends’ Meeting House

A New Dawn

Ensemble Hesperi

The inaugural Malcolm Rose Memorial Concert in memory of Lewes-based harpsichord maker, supplier and tuner Malcolm Rose. Ensemble Hesperi performs early baroque gems for recorder and harpsichord.

Tickets: £15; for half price tickets see page 11; under 12s free

EVENT 9

Saturday 14 October, 7.30pm, St George’s Church

THE EXCELLENCE OF WOMEN: CASULANA & STROZZI

Fieri Consort with Harry Buckoke viola da gamba

Toby Carr lute, theorbo

Aileen Henry harp

Tickets: £20; for half price tickets see page 11; under 12s free. Prom (restricted view) tickets £5 on the door

After 400 years, the Fieri Consort reveals the newly discovered madrigals of Maddalena Casulana alongside works by another of Italy’s greatest composers, Barbara Strozzi.

EVENT 10

Sunday 15 October, 7pm

St Martin’s Church