Sample Programmes

Rosa Mundi

Songs and solos written for Lute and Theorbo, exploring the exquisite music that bridges the renaissance and baroque styles. NEW CD NOW AVAILABLE.

'The Garden of Verses'

An enchanting programme in honour of the English Garden. Consists of Songs, Lute Solos, and readings, evoking the different seasons, and poetic images paralleling the place of man in nature.

'Songes of Sundrie Kindes'

All English music from the turn of the sixteenth century. In honour of the 400th anniversaries of both the publication of Thomas Greaves' first book of lute-songs by that name, and of John Dowland's 'Lachrymae' with it's various adaptions and settings.

'Zabaglione- a Musical Flummery'

Music from the early seventeenth century, explores what happened when the English Renaissance met the birth of the Italian Baroque style. It includes music for voice, and both Lute and Theorbo. Works by Kapsberger, Ferrabosco, Robert Jones, Campian and Coprario.

Bardos Band

'The Oak of Two Greens'

Celtic music from medieval Europe: An eclectic programme based on an ancient folk tale describing a resourceful harper who charms his audience asleep in order to steal a magical harp. The harp, known as 'The Oak of Two Greens' belonged to the Tuatha de Dannan - a tribe, according to legend, responsible for introducing music into Ireland.

Daughters of Elvin

'Medieval Music and Dance'

Evoking the spirit of Medieval Europe with music, masks, dance, giant stilt characters and aerial acrobatics they give powerful displays of colour, movement and sound. Based around carefully researched music, they bring to life images inspired by Medieval paintings, carvings and literature.

'Henida, Yseutz & Marion'

Medieval Woman as Lover, Patroness, Traveller and Mystic.

'La Divina Comedia- Music from the time of Dante Alighieri'

An exhilarating and informative programme of music, masked dance and stories illustrating the life and times of Dante Alighieri. With political songs from Bertrand de Born, up-tempo ballatas from the Codex Rossi and Beautiful polyphonic madrigals from other c14th Italian manuscripts. Played on an array of authentic medieval instruments including bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, bray harp, citole, recorders, dulcimer and percussion. With masks and dances inspired by medieval imagery and the Divine Comedy.

Songs for Mary Hodgson

with harpsichordist Robert Howarth

A vibrant and fascinating programme of music written for one of the first women to appear on the English Stage at the turn of the c17th. It includes music first heard at Drury Lane Theatre, Lincoln's Inn Fields and Dorset Gardens, for plays such as Congreve's 'The Way of the World' and 'Don Quixote' by Thomas d'Urfey. It includes some real favourites, like John Eccles' 'Love's but the Frailty of the Mind', and 'Sweeter than Roses' by Henry Purcell.

Performed in 2004 at Salisbury Festival, and Bloomsbury Festival at UCL Bloomsbury.

Phoenix Rising

'Charles Burney's Grand Tour of Europe'

A musical journey through 18th century European baroque music led by famous music historian Charles Burney and performed by Pan-European musicians Phoenix Rising. Includes excerpts from the writings of Music Historian Charles Burney and explores music by the composers he met on his travels.

Phoenix Rising have performed with Sophia throughout the country at Stratford-upon-Avon Festival, St. Neot's Festival, Oakham School Concert Series and at Utrecht Conservatorium Chapel.