We are delighted that FAIR ORIANA is part of our 2023 series. They are joined by Sam Brown and Harry Buckoke.

Both members of Dame Emma Kirkby's ensemble Dowland Works, specialist early music sopranos Angela Hicks and Penelope Appleyard joined forces in 2019 to form Fair Oriana, a duo that mixes their passion for historical music with entertaining staging, contemporary influences and, varying genres such as folk, medieval and jazz.

This programme is intimate yet theatrical. It centres around Thomas Morley's madrigal collection of 1601, "The Triumphs of Oriana" uniquely arranged here for two voices with instrumental accompaniment.

The programme features three of these 'Triumphs' to represent the glorious public face of the Queen, but pitches these against the stark contrast of her private persona, her 'Trials', which are represented by lute songs and more internalised, emotional music. This programme takes the audience on a journey, exploring the public and private sides to Elizabeth, the performers moving between three areas of the stage: a concert platform for the Triumphs, a domestic setting for the Trials, and a 'throne', reserved for the items that use Queen Elizabeth's own words. All this is achieved using only a series of chairs, meaning it is easily achievable, and adaptable.

The programme celebrates the works of John Dowland in particular, while also introducing a brand new psalm setting and contemporary lute song by composer Fraser Wilson, that sets Elizabeth's own words to music and explores jazz as well as historical influences. 

www.fairoriana.com
www.sambrownmusic.org
www.harrybuckoke.com

Fair Oriana are:
Penelope Appleyard, soprano
Angela Hicks, soprano
Sam Brown, lute
Harry Buckoke, viola da gamba

Starts @ 7.30pm with doors open from 6.30pm, bar available.

Tickets: £18 - free to children of 12 and under, accompanied by a paying adult, and students £5

Tickets can also be purchased by ringing 01460 54973 or visiting us during opening hours.

Promoted by Concerts in the West.