Workshop for Instruments & Voices

Orlando Gibbons died 400 years ago in 1625, so this is an excellent year to sing and play as much Gibbons as possible! According to Gibbons, our life is like a play, where we spend nine months being fitted out in our costume before being thrust onto the stage to perform a drama of passion, be entertained by music, judged by the heavens, and at the end of our short comedy we march off to our final rest. The madrigal 'What Is Our Life' sets this extraordinary text in the most beautifully crafted musical narrative. In this workshop we will focus on this madrigal, and perhaps if time explore another of Gibbons' many wry observations about the transitory nature of this life and why we shouldn't pay too much attention to beauty, wit or wealth!

All instruments and voices are welcome - SATB voices, recorders of all sizes, violin-family strings, viols, double reeds, brass. Pitch A=440

Spaces limited - pre-booking is essential.

Alison Kinder is a viol player with Chelys and The Linarol Consort. She regularly leads Forum workshops as well as teaching on various Early Music courses and summer schools. Occasionally she is allowed out of the viol playing department and onto recorders and baroque violin!