Links - Lute events
September 2023
Laudonia Tour
Scotland's newest baroque ensemble Laudonia, founded by singer Suan Hamilton, will present a series of concerts throughout Scotland.
01 Sept, 19:30 – 21:30 – Melrose, Holy Trinity, 20 High Cross Ave, Melrose TD6 9SU, UK
02 Sept, 19:30 – 21:30 – Edinburgh, St Cecilia’s Hall, 50 Niddry St, Edinburgh EH1 1LG, UK
03 Sept, 19:30 – 21:30 – Dunkeld, Cathedral, 10 Cathedral St, Dunkeld PH8 0AW, UK
05 Sept, 19:30 – 21:30 – Inverness, Cathedral, Ardross St, Inverness IV3 5NN, UK
06 Sept, 19:30 – 21:30 – Aberdeen, Queen’s Cross Church, Albyn Pl, Aberdeen AB10 1YN, UK
08 Sept, 19:30 – 21:30 – London, St Mary Abbots Church Kensington, Kensington Church St, London W8 4LA, UK
The Grand Tour
Harmonising the past and present
Laudonia, Scotland's Dynamic Baroque Ensemble, and award-winning soprano Susan Hamilton are embarking on a six-concert tour from London to Inverness, celebrating the musical journey of Sir John Clerk of Penicuik.
Clerk, a significant figure in Scottish history, made a Grand Tour through Europe in the 1690s, and this unique program for soprano, trumpet, strings, and bass continuo brings to life the music he may have heard on his travels. Featuring works by composers Clerk met and studied with, including his emotional cantata Leo Scotiae Irritatus, Corelli's passionate violin sonata in D minor La Follia, and Rosenmüller's ethereal concerto for voice, trumpet, and strings O Felicissimus Paradysi, this project highlights how Clerk's journey through Europe influenced some of the best music of its time to come out of Scotland. Despite a fire that destroyed much of Clerk's musical output, his surviving five vocal cantatas are a testament to his talent as a composer, making this tour a celebration of his musical legacy.
laudonia.net/
Xavier Diaz-Latorre Masterclass & Concert - Japan Lute Society
6 September, 2023
lute.penne.jp/lsj/
The Shepherd Knight and his Star
Friday 22nd September, 1.15pm, St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street, London EC4Y 8AU
Although not specifically marking Byrd 400, he features strongly in this programme inspired by Sir Philip Sidney and his monumental sonnet sequence Astrophil and Stella. Settings of texts from it by Byrd and others, are complemented by works associated with Sidney’s friends and relations, as well as with his muse Lady Penelope Rich. Jane and Din are joined by mezzo Melissa Scott.
Free entry, retiring collection for the church
Plucked Byrd
Saturday 23rd September, 12.30 – 1.15pm. St Catherine’s Church, Tugford, SY7 9HS
Gwendolen Martin and Din return to Corvedale Festival (which they helped to inaugurate last year) with another of Musicke in the Ayre’s tributes to William Byrd in his 400th anniversary year. Settings for voice and lute of some of his consort songs are complemented with works by Tallis and Morley, both close associates.
Tickets £12 (inc light lunch) – details at corvedalefestival.org
October 2023
“What Masques, What Dances?”
Sunday 1st October 2023 14:30
Heron Theatre, nr. Kendal
www.theherontheatre.com/find_us.php
Renaissance and Baroque music for court entertainments and the dance. Elizabeth Dodd and Philip Gruar with Richard MacKenzie play instruments of the period: viola da gamba, recorders, flute, lute, guitar, theorbo; and also bring some 18th-century music to life with dances from the opera house. £15/12
Songs from turbulent times
Saturday 7th October, 3.00 – 4.00pm, St Mary the Virgin, Bathwick, Bath BA2 4EB
Carmel Edwards and Din Ghani open Musicke in the Ayre’s residency at St Mary’s Bathwick with this fascinating programme of English and Spanish songs (to lute, vihuela and baroque guitar) which they premiered in Carmel’s home town of Wirksworth a few weeks ago. The audience particularly enjoyed the historical context behind a programme ranging from Henry VIII through to Dowland and Purcell, not to mention Narvaez, Fuenllana, Marin and more on the Spanish side.
Tickets £10 at the door, or £9 from www.ticketsource.co.uk/musicke-in-the-ayre/t-rpaqpdx
Richard MacKenzie at Shrewsbury Cathedral
Sunday 15th October 2023
14:00-14:45
Shrewsbury Cathedral
FREE ENTRY
Richard MacKenzie – Programme TBA
Orpheus in England
Saturday 21st October, 3.00 – 4.00pm, The Charterhouse, London EC1M 6AN
Alysha Paterson’s first post-Covid outing with Musicke in the Ayre sees her exploring with Din the works of three of the greatest English songwriters of the 17th century: John Dowland, Henry Lawes and Henry Purcell. Din will be accompanying her on lute, guitar and archlute, and fitting in a few solos too.
Tickets £10 at the door, or £9 from www.ticketsource.co.uk/musicke-in-the-ayre/t-zzyenqj
November 2023
Course for lute and historical plucked instruments German Lute Society
3 November - 5 November
Course for lute and historical plucked instruments - solo playing and chamber music
www.lautengesellschaft.de/kalender-en.html
Leonardo Takii Concert & Masterclass - Japan Lute Society
4 November, 2023
lute.penne.jp/lsj/
Richard MacKenzie with Zuzana Tomasikova at Holy Trinity Church
Saturday 11th November 2023 13:45-14:30
Holy Trinity Church (WACIDOM), Marketgate, Warrington
FREE ENTRY
Richard MacKenzie with Zuzana Tomasikova (Soprano)
Programme will consist of Schubert lieder featuring romantic guitar accompaniment
February 2024
Richard MacKenzie at Lancaster Priory
Saturday 10th February 2024 10:30-11:15
Lancaster Priory
FREE ENTRY
Richard MacKenzie – Programme TBA