Thomas Dunford
Mad Lover

Violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte and lutenist Thomas Dunford fathom the depths of musical melancholy and scale the heights of virtuosity, exploring the rich musical landscape of 17th-century England, a time when the brilliance and exuberance of the Italian style was making its mark on English composition.
Through works by the virtuoso Nicola Matteis and his contemporaries, alongside the expressive elegance of Henry Purcell and John Eccles, the programme evokes a lovestruck figure, our Mad Lover, at the cosmopolitan court of Charles II.
A world of longing, desire, and loss unfolds, with music whose emotional intensity still resonates today.
Programme:
John Eccles Aire from The Mad Lover suite (Aire V)
Daniel Purcell Sonata in F-minor Improvisation
Nicola Matteis Folia
Fantasia in A Minor
Suite in A-minor - Sarabanda Amorosa
Suite in C-Major Diverse bizarrerie sopra la Vecchia Sarabanda I pur Ciaconna
Joan Ambrosio Dalza Calata
John Eccles Aire from The Mad Lover suite (Aire III)
Prélude in G-minor, ZN. 773
Sonata in G-minor
Nicola Matteis Suite in G-Major
John Eccles Sonata Quinta in E-minor
John Come and Kiss me
London Festival of Baroque Music
Wed, 28 October 2026
Smith Square Hall, London
7:00pm
£20 - £35
Full Event Details
Passion, virtuosity, and heartbreak meet in Mad Lover.
Violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte and lutenist Thomas Dunford fathom the depths of musical melancholy and scale the heights of virtuosity, exploring the rich musical landscape of 17th-century England, a time when the brilliance and exuberance of the Italian style was making its mark on English composition.
Through works by the virtuoso Nicola Matteis and his contemporaries, alongside the expressive elegance of Henry Purcell and John Eccles, the programme evokes a lovestruck figure, our Mad Lover, at the cosmopolitan court of Charles II.
A world of longing, desire, and loss unfolds, with music whose emotional intensity still resonates today.
Programme:
John Eccles Aire from The Mad Lover suite (Aire V)
Daniel Purcell Sonata in F-minor Improvisation
Nicola Matteis Folia
Fantasia in A Minor
Suite in A-minor - Sarabanda Amorosa
Suite in C-Major Diverse bizarrerie sopra la Vecchia Sarabanda I pur Ciaconna
Joan Ambrosio Dalza Calata
John Eccles Aire from The Mad Lover suite (Aire III)
Prélude in G-minor, ZN. 773
Sonata in G-minor
Nicola Matteis Suite in G-Major
John Eccles Sonata Quinta in E-minor
John Come and Kiss me
Venue Details & Map
Location
Smith Square Hall, London
Sinfonia Smith Square, London SW1P 3HA
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