Byrd and the Baron

A secret Christmas
Sun 30.11.25 18:15 Concert

Barfüsserkirche
Basel Historical Museum

O

ne of the worst-kept secrets of Elizabethan England was the unlawful Catholic faith of the composer of the Chapel Royal, William Byrd. Under Protestant rule, Byrd almost literally played with fire when he secretly composed and performed explicitly Catholic music; in his final years, apostate Catholics were regularly burned alive or otherwise cruelly executed.

This ReRenaissance programme imagines how this group of hidden Catholic companions celebrated Advent and Christmas in secret and in danger at Ingatestone Hall in Essex.

 

Elizabeth Sommers – violin, voice

Elizabeth Rumsey – viola da gamba

Simon MacHale – voice

Grace Newcombe – voice, organ; direction

2025

June

Amor, Fortuna!

Madrigals for Palestrina's 500th Birthday
Sun 29.06.25 18:15 Concert

Barfüsserkirche
Historical Museum Basel

September

Festival 2025 «ARCADIA»

2. ReRenaissance Festival
Fri 26.09.25 to 28.09.2025

Basel, Martinskirche

October

Brummen und Blaßen

Douçaine, Rackett and Dulcian
Sun 26.10.25 17:45 Intro 18:15 Concert

Barfüsserkirche
Basel Historical Museum

December

Advent Calendar

Daily online surprises
Mon 01.12.25 to Wed 24.12.25

cardboard and/or online