William Byrd Sacred Music Series

WilliamByrd Sacred Music Series

Wigmore Hall launches a unique series exploring the music of William Byrd – the largest ever celebration of the English Renaissance master's music in London. In six concerts over two seasons, The Cardinall's Musick and Stile Antico present a range of music by England’s first truly great composer, who found himself caught between his own beliefs and a continually changing religious landscape. Ranging from the Latin sacred music of this recusant Catholic composer to his vernacular works, composed as the Tudors gave way to the Stuarts, the dark intensity of this music is perfectly suited to the vivid choral colours which Andrew Carwood draws from his specialist singers during the 2011–12 season, with Stile Antico continuing our survey the following season.