A classical early music concert by The Portrait Players, exploring the sacred and secular music of 17th-century Paris.
The Portrait Players are playing at Bedern Hall on Sunday 6 December, from 2pm to around 3pm. They're part of the National Centre for Early Music, and this is one of their early winter dates.
The programme takes you back to Christmas in 17th-century Paris, with a mix of sacred and secular music that the group describes as evoking the mystery, revelry and merriment of the season. It's a broad sweep of the French Baroque, with pieces by Clérambault, Couperin, Mlle Denis, Marais, Julie Pinel and de Visée. The sacred side brings the church and the cathedral, while the secular side is the music of the salons and the courts, and the two sit side by side in the same set.
On stage are Emilia Agajew on harp, Miriam Nohl on viola da gamba, Claire Ward on soprano, and Kristiina Watt, who doubles on theorbo and soprano. With two voices and three period instruments, it's a small ensemble, and the theorbo and viola da gamba give the whole thing that distinct early music sound—plucked strings and a bowed bass line rather than a full orchestra.
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It's an afternoon concert, so it's a good one if you're not keen on a late night. Unreserved seating is £23, or £21 if you're a member, and under-35s get in for £10. Your ticket includes coffee on arrival, so you can have a brew and a chat before the music starts. Bedern Hall is on Bedern, YO1 7AL, right in the centre of town.
