The Beverley & East Riding Early Music Festival was established in 1988 to celebrate this glorious county town’s historic association with musicians from medieval times. Blessed by extraordinarily rich ecclesiastical buildings, and a wealth of musical carvings in stone & wood in both Beverley Minster and St Mary’s Church, Beverley is the perfect place for a festival of early music.

Run by the National Centre for Early Music, the festival draws in residents and visitors alike to its annual series of concerts, illustrated lectures and associated workshops.

The 2025 Beverley Early Music Festival celebrates their 37th festival through the eyes of the 18th century diarist John Courtney – looking at the life of a gentleman when Beverley was at the centre of Georgian society. Thanks to support from The Georgian Society of East Yorkshire, we will welcome musicians-in-residence Ensemble Augelletti to reflect on the music that was so much a part of Courtney’s life.

Guest artists also include Stile Antico celebrating the music of Palestrina, the instrumental ensemble Florilegium with soprano Rowan Pierce sharing their Handel programme, lutenist Elizabeth Kenny and soprano Nardus Williams looking back to the excesses of the Renaissance, and The York Waits taking us to Tudor England.

Young people are invited to join in the fun with our Pick a Card programme inspired by the Georgians' love of playing cards and singers are encouraged to join voices with a consort from Stile Antico.