England’s Glory ~ Country Dances, Songs, and Consorts of the Golden Age

Caroline Nicolas ~ treble viol
Charlie Reed ~ tenor viol
Lisa Terry ~ tenor viol
Patricia Neely ~ bass viol
Sarah Stone ~ bass viol
Gene Murrow ~ concertina, recorders
Ruth Cunningham ~ voice, flute, recorders

English Country Dances from John Playford’s The Dancing Master, along with music by William Byrd, John Dowland, Orlando Gibbons, Anthony Holborne, Peter Philips, and William Brade. The Elizabethan and Jacobean eras in England, during the reigns of Queen Elizabeth I and James I in the late 16th and well into the 17th centuries, were a true golden age for English arts, including social dance and music. This program provides a taste of the richness and extraordinary quality of the instrumental music, “consort songs” (music for singer and chamber ensemble), and “country dances” of that unique time.

“Engaging stage presence, backed by programs put together with exceptional imagination…irresistible!” (Washington Post). Since 1979, Hesperus has connected curious modern audiences to the rich musical past through collaborations with film, dance, mime, theater and world music. Hesperus has toured Europe and the Far East; performed at Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Kennedy Center; and recorded over a dozen CDs and DVDs.

Join us live in person at St. Malachy Roman Catholic Church – The Actors’ Chapel or online via our YouTube channel. The Midtown Concerts series is a production of Gotham Early Music Scene and free to the public.