Fretwork
Secret Byrd
Recusant Byrd
The Gesualdo Six
Supported by a grant from Continuo Foundation
I fervently believe that once we stop trying to convince people they’re wrong, we can move to the next stage of our evolution – working together to protect a world where we each get to choose our fate.”
Concert-theatre at its most intimate
Singers are staged to manage the house, light the candles, and gather to worship. They sing the Ordinary movements of the mass that Byrd set, while the strings play the Proper movements (the sections that change in the liturgy week to week). At one moment a rude interruption crashes into the serenity of the evening, and a sacrifice must be made.
Bread is broken by the audience where communion occurs in the mass. What was a solemn reenactment turns to a celebration of life and the searing power of music.
A gallery of the history of Catholic recusancy and religious persecution still occurring today is included for audiences to learn about Byrd’s incredible faith and advocacy. Please read the program notes on the right to learn more about what motivates this production.
Two performances: 7pm and 9:30pm
Thu 7 September 2023
The Mount Without, Bristol
7:00pm
£30, £35 with soup
Full Event Details
Part art installation, part concert, and part immersive theatre, Secret Byrd will tour Byrd’s essential story, to highlight religious persecution still afflicting the world today, and perhaps most importantly – to encourage us all to let people believe what they wish.
I fervently believe that once we stop trying to convince people they’re wrong, we can move to the next stage of our evolution – working together to protect a world where we each get to choose our fate.”
Concert-theatre at its most intimate
Singers are staged to manage the house, light the candles, and gather to worship. They sing the Ordinary movements of the mass that Byrd set, while the strings play the Proper movements (the sections that change in the liturgy week to week). At one moment a rude interruption crashes into the serenity of the evening, and a sacrifice must be made.
Bread is broken by the audience where communion occurs in the mass. What was a solemn reenactment turns to a celebration of life and the searing power of music.
A gallery of the history of Catholic recusancy and religious persecution still occurring today is included for audiences to learn about Byrd’s incredible faith and advocacy. Please read the program notes on the right to learn more about what motivates this production.
Two performances: 7pm and 9:30pm
Venue Details & Map
Location
The Mount Without, Bristol
Old Park Hill, Bristol, BS2 8BB, United Kingdom
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Previous performances
Secret Byrd
- Fri 27 January 2023
- St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
- 6:00pm
- £35/£30
Secret Byrd
- Fri 27 January 2023
- St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
- 9:00pm
- £35/£30
Secret Byrd
- Sat 28 January 2023
- St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
- 6:00pm
- £35/£30
Secret Byrd
- Sat 28 January 2023
- St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
- 9:00pm
- £35/£30
Secret Byrd
- Thu 29 June 2023
- Abingdon Abbey Buildings 18 Thames St, Abingdon OX14 3HZ
- 6:00pm
- £35 with soup, £30, concessions
Secret Byrd
- Wed 13 September 2023
- Lammermuir Festival, St Mary's Parish Church, Haddington EH41 4DA
- 7:00pm
- £26.25, concessions
- Lammermuir Festival
Secret Byrd
- Sat 2 December 2023
- National Centre for Early Music, York
- 6:00pm
- £35 with soup, £30 without
- York Early Music Christmas Festival
Secret Byrd
- Sat 2 December 2023
- National Centre for Early Music, York
- 8:30pm
- £35 with soup, £30 without
- York Early Music Christmas Festival
Secret Byrd
- Thu 5 September 2024
- Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
- 8:30pm
- £45 (with food) | £20