Fretwork, Helen Charlston

Yuletide in the Elizabethan era was a time of profound spirituality as well as celebration – and composers such as Byrd, Gibbons and Tallis composed some of the most timeless sacred music ever created in these islands. Tonight’s programme explores the grandeur, the emotion and the deep beauty that lay at the heart of Christmas festivities at the court of Elizabeth I.

Since its foundation in 1985, viol consort Fretwork has helped disseminate and renew a tradition of music formerly little known beyond a small band of specialists, its extraordinary standard of playing wedded to an approach to repertory that has seen it seek out forgotten music as well as commissioning new works from contemporary composers. Tonight, Fretwork are joined by mezzo-soprano Helen Charlston, winner of the Handel Singing Competition 2018, for a celebratory festive concert that journeys us back in time. Fretwork will be joined by soprano Helen Charlston. Helen won First Prize in the 2018 Handel Singing Competition and is a Rising Star of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment for 2017-19.