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Countertenor Reginald Mobley and the Academy of Ancient Music explore a different vision of the English baroque: in which the music of Purcell, Handel and Ignatius Sancho redefined the culture of a nation.
Baroque England was a nation turned inside out: a fledgling democracy that could also be profoundly unjust, a culture convinced of its own uniqueness but which welcomed genius from all lands. Tonight, Academy of Ancient Music explores an era that’s never felt more current.
So, the music of the London-born Purcell sits alongside masterpieces by Handel – a German who became English by choice – and Ignatius Sancho, who was born into slavery but found freedom and musical success in Georgian England. Curated by American countertenor Reginald Mobley, Sons of England weaves music and words to explore alternative histories of the English baroque, culminating in a Sancho-inspired new commission by composer Roderick Williams: musical history shaping a shared future.
We would like to thank the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Continuo Foundation for their support of this performance.
John Dowland
Lachrimæ Antiquae from Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares
Henry Purcell
Britain, thou art now great from Why, why are all the Muses mute?
Music for a while from Oedipus
Keyboard Ground in D minor
Here the deities approve from Welcome to All the Pleasures
Strike the viol from Come, Ye Sons of Art
Chaconne from King Arthur
O solitude, my sweetest choice
John Blow
So ceased the rival crew from An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell
We beg not hell, our Orpheus to restore from An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell
The Power of Harmony Too Well They Know from An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell
Thomas Arne
Sweet muse inspire thy suppliant bard
British by Choice
Attrib. Cesare Morelli, Samuel Pepys
Ah! Happy Isle!
Go, perjured man! And if thou e’er return
Phoebus God, beloved by men
Beauty retire
Francesco Geminiani
Concerto Grosso in D minor, La Follia after Corelli Op 5 No 12
Jean Baptiste Loeillet
Sonata in A minor for Recorder, Op 3 No 4
George Frideric Handel
Harpsichord Concerto in G
Mi palpita il cor
Charles Ignatius Sancho (arr. Nico Canzano)
Suite of Songs and Dances
British by Circumstance
Roderick Williams
A New Work (premiere)
Download the Programme
Ahead of this spell-binding concert, we caught up with Reginald Mobley to find out more about Ignatius Sancho, what you can expect and how together we can shift our understanding of musical history to shape a shared future.
Pre-event Food & Drink
Enjoy delicious drinks and light bites from our Café Bar ahead of the event.
Available to pre-order when booking your tickets, you can choose from a selection of house drinks on arrival, accompanied by a board of bread, olives and dips (all Vegetarian). Just select which option – for one or two people – you would like, before checkout. Or if you’ve already booked, please email boxoffice@stgeorgesbristol.co.uk to add your food to your order.
Your pre-ordered food and drink will be available to collect from the Café Bar from 90 minutes before the event. It’s the perfect way to begin your event experience at St George’s!
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