Stile Antico

Friday, 27 January 2023 at 8:00 pm

England’s Nightingale

University Church

University Church, Oxford, United Kingdom

Stile Antico marks 400 years since the death of William Byrd by exploring the many faces of this extraordinary composer, amongst the greatest that England has ever produced. This programme weaves together the strands of Byrd’s complex life as both pillar of the Protestant musical establishment and faithful servant to the underground Catholic community. The audience encounters Byrd working loyally at the Chapel Royal, thrills to his anguished musical entreaties in support of his fellow Catholics, and savours the gentler music of his latter years.

William Byrd: Emendemus in Melius 

‘A good egg’ – Byrd, the loyal subject

Byrd: O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth
Byrd: Sing joyfully
Byrd: Nunc Dimittis from The Great Service

‘The caged bird’ – Byrd, the Catholic at court

Byrd: Vide Domine afflictionem
Byrd: Haec dies quam fecit Dominum
Byrd: Ne irascaris, Domine

‘A country nest’ – Byrd, the Essex Gentleman

Byrd: Retire my soul
Byrd: Ave verum corpus
Byrd: Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes
Byrd: Optimam partem elegit
Byrd: Factus est repente
Byrd: Agnus Dei from Mass for Four Voices

‘Under his wing’ – Byrd, the “much reverenced master”

Thomas Morley: Domine Dominus noster
Peter Philips: Ecce vicit Leo
Thomas Tomkins: Too much I once lamented

Byrd: Laudibus in sanctis

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