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- ➕4 other performances
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
Other performances
In addition to the performance listed above, this concert will also be performed as follows:
Secret Byrd
Fri, 8 May 2026
Smith Square Hall, London
6:30pm
£45
Smith Square Hall
Secret Byrd
Fri, 8 May 2026
Smith Square Hall, London
9:30pm
£45
Smith Square Hall
Secret Byrd
Sat, 9 May 2026
Smith Square Hall, London
6:30pm
£45
Smith Square Hall
Secret Byrd
Sat, 9 May 2026
Smith Square Hall, London
9:30pm
£45
Smith Square Hall
Show past performances of this programme
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