Centred around great works by William Byrd (1540-1623) and Claudio Monteverdi (1567- 1 643), this programme explores the stark contrast between England’s refined, solemn sacred polyphony and the drama of Monteverdi’s early Baroque Stile Moderno, or ‘modern style’.

Expect well-loved and recently reconstructed English gems, joyous Italian dances, madrigalian celebrations of spring, and a rare chance to hear the almost six-foot long theorbo or bass lute in action!

Described as ‘a force for original thinking, daringly and triumphantly realised’ (Choir and Organ), Gramophone-nominated Ensemble Pro Victoria is established as one of Britain’s finest young early music ensembles (Early Music Review). Founded at the University of Cambridge in 2015, the ensemble put down roots in the rich tradition of combined research and historical performance, which remains at the heart of their approach.

Ensemble Pro Victoria won joint first prize at the London International Festival of Early Music Young Ensemble Competition (2020), swiftly followed by a Gramophone award nomination for their 2021 debut recording Robert Fayrfax, Music for Tudor Kings and Queens, which included the first recording of extraordinarily joyous music from Elenry Vlll’s first wedding.