THIS year is the 400th anniversary of the death of Queen Elizabeth 1. To mark this, Ulverston Bach Choir and the Dorian Players, conducted by Alan Bolt, presented a memorable commemoration in Ulverston Parish Church.
They set out to show some of the great vocal and instrumental music composed during the great queen’s reign, ranging widely from a Byrd four part mass, and the Parsons Ave Maria, through fantasias and consort songs, to fun pieces like the Carman’s Whistle (Byrd again) and the Honeysuckle and the Night Watch from the great set of dance music by Holborne.
The great composers of the time were represented, Tallis, Morley, Dowland, as well as others, fine but less familiar, such as John Wilbye (his moving Weep, weep, mine eyes) and Weelkes. Colin Dean played some pieces on the organ, notably a fantasia by Farnaby. It was a special treat too to hear instruments of the period both accompanying the singing and without voices. Alison Bolt and Gill Lowden played a duet (Il Lamento by Morley) on treble viols, and Cathy Styles sang some exquisite accompanied consort songs.
All in all a delightful evening.
Robert Sykes
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