Greenwich Early Music Festival

From 8 to 10 November, the Royal Greenwich Early Music Festival is taking place in an around the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich, whose buildings are now home to the University of Greenwich and the Trinity Laban Conservatoire. (the festival is jointly promoted by the Early Music Shop, the Greenwich Foundation and Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance) The festival involves concerts in the college (in the Painted Hall and in the Chapel) and in St Alfege's Church in Greenwich, plus an exhibition, the largest Early Music Exhibition of its kind. This year performers include His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, the Trinity Laban Classical Orchestra, Philomel, the Sixteen, Eva Fegers, Dan Laurin, the Rose Consort of Viols and the European Union Baroque Orchestra.


Evening concerts include His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts in a programme marking the 400th anniversary of the death of Giovanni Gabrieli. Nicholas Kraemer conducts the Trinity Laban Classical Orchestra in a performance of Haydn's Creation. The Sixteen with conductor Harry Christophers are singing music by Scarlatti, Lotti, Melgas, Rebelo and Caldara; composers whose origins are either Portuguese or Italian. The festival closes with a concert from the European Union Baroque Orchestra with music by Muffatt, Handel and Corelli.

There are lots of smaller concerts during the day. The Rose Consort of Viols and Clare Wilkinson will be performing consort songs, madrigals and motets by Byrd, Gibbons and Tomkins. Trinity Laban Early Music Ensemble perform Royal Consorts, Harp Consorts and Fantasie Suites by William Lawes (a very enticing programme indeed). The ensemble, Philomel, perform English ballads and dances with emphasis on Shakespeare's words. Recorder players Eve Fegers and Dan Laurin are both giving recitals. The young musicians from Trinity Laban's Saturday School will also be performing.

In addition to the exhibition, there is a programme of masterclasses and makers demonstrations. So you can see how an instrument is made, and hear it performed.

And on Saturday 10 November, BBC Radio 3's Early Music Show will be presented live from the Chapel on the Old Royal Naval College.

Full information from the Festival website