The Gesualdo Six
Secret Byrd
With Fretwork | Directed by Bill Barclay | Produced by Concert Theatre Works
Secret Byrd celebrates the 400-year legacy of William Byrd, one of England’s finest composers, in an immersive performance by candlelight featuring The Gesualdo Six and Fretwork, created and directed by Bill Barclay and produced by Concert Theatre Works. Byrd was a recusant Catholic writing secret Masses to be sung by worshippers during the Reformation.
These Masses were held in people’s homes with smuggled priests and hidden Catholic artifacts. This extraordinary theatrical concert recreates the sense of danger of these secret gatherings in the atmospheric setting of Canterbury Cathedral’s Eastern Crypt.
Audiences rove freely among the costumed artists feeling the original hand-made part-books, all illuminated by candlelight. This will be a concert experience like no other.
Thu 24 October 2024
Canterbury Cathedral Eastern Crypt
8:45pm
£36
Full Event Details
This is a roving event that will require audience members to stand and move during the immersive performance. However there will be chairs available for those that need them.
Secret Byrd celebrates the 400-year legacy of William Byrd, one of England’s finest composers, in an immersive performance by candlelight featuring The Gesualdo Six and Fretwork, created and directed by Bill Barclay and produced by Concert Theatre Works. Byrd was a recusant Catholic writing secret Masses to be sung by worshippers during the Reformation.
These Masses were held in people’s homes with smuggled priests and hidden Catholic artifacts. This extraordinary theatrical concert recreates the sense of danger of these secret gatherings in the atmospheric setting of Canterbury Cathedral’s Eastern Crypt.
Audiences rove freely among the costumed artists feeling the original hand-made part-books, all illuminated by candlelight. This will be a concert experience like no other.
Venue Details & Map
Location
Canterbury Cathedral Eastern Crypt
Canterbury Cathedral Eastern Crypt
Related upcoming events
Queen of Hearts
- Sun 23 March 2025
- St Michael's, Barnes
- 7:30pm
- £25 | £20 | £15
Barnes Music Festival- ➕1 other performance
Lux Aeterna
- Sun 6 April 2025
- Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
- 8:00pm
- £25 | £15 U35s
- ➕2 other performances
Previous performances
Secret Byrd
- Thu 11 July 2024
- Salisbury Medieval Hall
- 6:00pm
- £48 - £58
Secret Byrd
- Thu 11 July 2024
- Salisbury Medieval Hall
- 9:00pm
- £48 - £58
Secret Byrd
- Fri 12 July 2024
- Holy Trinity Church, Guildford
- 6:00pm
- £25 (Gallery) | £45 (Floor)
Secret Byrd
- Fri 12 July 2024
- Holy Trinity Church, Guildford
- 9:00pm
- £25 (Gallery) | £45 (Floor)
Secret Byrd
- Thu 5 September 2024
- Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
- 8:30pm
- £45 (with food) | £20
Secret Byrd
- Mon 21 October 2024
- Lutyens Crypt, Liverpool
- 6:00pm
- £20 - £45
Secret Byrd
- Mon 21 October 2024
- Lutyens Crypt, Liverpool
- 9:00pm
- £20 - £45
Secret Byrd
- Tue 22 October 2024
- Picture Gallery, Temple Newsam House, Leeds
- 6:30pm
- £15-35
Secret Byrd
- Tue 22 October 2024
- Picture Gallery, Temple Newsam House, Leeds
- 9:00pm
- £15-35
Secret Byrd
- Thu 24 October 2024
- Canterbury Cathedral Eastern Crypt
- 6:30pm
- £36