Playing cards have been used throughout history to entertain and to educate. In their 'Pick a Card' project, Ensemble Augelletti explored some of the extraordinary historic playing cards held in The British Museum and paired them with pieces of baroque music, filmed live at the Voces8 Centre in London.

Marco Uccellini (c. 1610–1680): 'Aria sopra la Bergamasca'
From: Sonate, arie et correnti, Op. 3

This piece highlights the connection between Bergamo’s lively dance tradition and its iconic sheep, both referred to as Bergamasca.

View the full card pack here.

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Nicola Matteis (c. 1650–1713): 'Ground after Scotch Humour'
From: Ayres for the Violin, Book 4

Inspired by a card depicting the 17th-century fictitious 'Meal-Tub Plot', this piece by Catholic Italian violinist Nicola Matteis captures the atmosphere of plots and intrigue in his London life.

View the full card pack here.

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Tarquinio Merula (1595–1665): La cattarina, Op. 12 No. 10
From: Canzoni overo sonate concertate per chiesa e camera (1637)

With a playing card from 1644 which shows Catherine de' Medici, this episode features a piece entitled ‘La cattarina’ by Tarquinio Merula.

View the full card pack here.

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JS Bach (1685–1750): 'Largo'
From: Trio Sonata in G, BWV 1038

This video pairs a movement from a trio sonata by JS Bach with a set of 19th-century playing cards that depict a church to which Bach famously walked in order to hear the organ there.

View the card here.

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Anna Amalia of Prussia (1723–1787): 'Allegro ma non troppo'
From: Flute Sonata in F (1771)

This sonata is paired with silk playing cards bound into a book, reflecting Anna Amalia’s greatest legacy—her library of baroque scores.

View the full card pack here.

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Mlle Duval (1718–1775): 'Passacaille'
From: Les Génies, ou Les caractères de l’amour

Paired with 16th-century humanist cards featuring Ovid as Cupid, this dance from Les caractères de l’amour by Mlle Duval shares its name with the characters of love.

View the full card pack here.

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Explore the Full Collection

Discover all 36 videos on the Ensemble Augelletti website, or on their YouTube channel. The first 30 'Pick a Card' videos were supported by Continuo Foundation. You can also enjoy 'Pick a Card' in real life at the Beverley and East Riding Early Music Festival in May 2025.