Fretwork
Secret Byrd
Byrd's recusant role
The Gesualdo Six

Supported by a grant from Continuo Foundation
I fervently believe that once we stop trying to convince people they’re wrong, we can move to the next stage of our evolution – working together to protect a world where we each get to choose our fate.”
Concert-theatre at its most intimate
Singers are staged to manage the house, light the candles, and gather to worship. They sing the Ordinary movements of the mass that Byrd set, while the strings play the Proper movements (the sections that change in the liturgy week to week). At one moment a rude interruption crashes into the serenity of the evening, and a sacrifice must be made.
Bread is broken by the audience where communion occurs in the mass. What was a solemn reenactment turns to a celebration of life and the searing power of music.
A gallery of the history of Catholic recusancy and religious persecution still occurring today is included for audiences to learn about Byrd’s incredible faith and advocacy. Please read the program notes on the right to learn more about what motivates this production.
Performances at 7pm and 9:30pm.
Lammermuir Festival
Wed, 13 September 2023
Lammermuir Festival, St Mary's Parish Church, Haddington EH41 4DA
7:00pm
£26.25, concessions
Full Event Details
Part art installation, part concert, and part immersive theatre, Secret Byrd will tour Byrd’s essential story, to highlight religious persecution still afflicting the world today, and perhaps most importantly – to encourage us all to let people believe what they wish.
I fervently believe that once we stop trying to convince people they’re wrong, we can move to the next stage of our evolution – working together to protect a world where we each get to choose our fate.”
Concert-theatre at its most intimate
Singers are staged to manage the house, light the candles, and gather to worship. They sing the Ordinary movements of the mass that Byrd set, while the strings play the Proper movements (the sections that change in the liturgy week to week). At one moment a rude interruption crashes into the serenity of the evening, and a sacrifice must be made.
Bread is broken by the audience where communion occurs in the mass. What was a solemn reenactment turns to a celebration of life and the searing power of music.
A gallery of the history of Catholic recusancy and religious persecution still occurring today is included for audiences to learn about Byrd’s incredible faith and advocacy. Please read the program notes on the right to learn more about what motivates this production.
Performances at 7pm and 9:30pm.
Venue Details & Map
Location
Lammermuir Festival, St Mary's Parish Church, Haddington EH41 4DA
Poldrate, Haddington, EH41 4DA, United Kingdom
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Previous performances
Secret Byrd
Fri, 27 January 2023
St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
6:00pm
£35/£30
Secret Byrd
Fri, 27 January 2023
St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
9:00pm
£35/£30
Secret Byrd
Sat, 28 January 2023
St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
6:00pm
£35/£30
Secret Byrd
Sat, 28 January 2023
St Martin-in-the-Fields, London
9:00pm
£35/£30
Secret Byrd
Thu, 29 June 2023
Abingdon Abbey Buildings 18 Thames St, Abingdon OX14 3HZ
6:00pm
£35 with soup, £30, concessions
Secret Byrd
Thu, 7 September 2023
The Mount Without, Bristol
7:00pm
£30, £35 with soup
Secret Byrd
Sat, 2 December 2023
National Centre for Early Music, York
6:00pm
£35 with soup, £30 without
York Early Music Christmas Festival
Secret Byrd
Sat, 2 December 2023
National Centre for Early Music, York
8:30pm
£35 with soup, £30 without
York Early Music Christmas Festival
Secret Byrd
Thu, 5 September 2024
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
8:30pm
£45 (with food) | £20