The Birth of the Baroque

In 1588 Nicholas Young's publication Musica Transalpina introduced the Italian madrigal into England, and with it the first glipmses of a new, text dominated, expressive style of writing. This was the core of the early baroque – the era that saw the birth of opera and solo song. The development of this style in England was gradual however, and the madrigal was slow to give way to works for solo voice. By the second decade of the 17 th century, however, its influence was clear, even in sacred music of the time.

This programme looks at the glorious fusion of styles – English polyphonic with Italianate expressive and chromatic – as seen in the workks of such composers as Orlando Gibbons, Thomas Weelkes and Thomas Tomkins.

The singers of Brighton Consort are joined by the Pastores Viol Consort in a range of full and verse anthems and works for viols.