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The Golden Anniversary: Sons of England

Academy of Ancient Music

,Milton Court Concert Hall
Painting of Ignatius Sancho

Countertenor Reginald Mobley and AAM explore a different vision of the English baroque: in which the music of Purcell, Handel and Ignatius Sancho redefined the culture of a nation.

Baroque England was a nation turned inside out: a fledgling democracy that could also be profoundly unjust, a culture convinced of its own uniqueness but which welcomed genius from all lands. Tonight, Academy of Ancient Music explores an era that’s never felt more current.

So, the music of the London-born Purcell sits alongside masterpieces by Handel – a German who became English by choice – and Ignatius Sancho, who was born into slavery but found freedom and musical success in Georgian England. Curated by American countertenor Reginald Mobley, Sons of England weaves music and words to explore alternative histories of the English baroque, culminating in a Sancho-inspired new commission by composer Roderick Williams: musical history shaping a shared future.

Tagged with: Classical music Baroque at the Barbican Academy of Ancient Music Multibuy Feb–Jul 2024 More...

This performance will finish at approximately 9.45pm, including a 20-minute interval

Produced by Academy of Ancient Music

Programme

  • John Dowland   Lachrimæ Antiquae from Lachrimae, or Seaven Teares
  • Henry Purcell   'Britain, thou art now great' from Why, why are all the Muses mute?
  •   'Music for a while' from Oedipus
  •   Keyboard Ground in D minor
  •   'Here the deities approve' from Welcome to all the pleasures
  •   'Strike the viol' from Come, Ye Sons of Art
  •   Trio Sonata in E minor
  •   O solitude, my sweetest choice
  • John Blow   'So ceased the rival crew', 'We beg not hell, our Orpheus to restore' and 'The power of Harmony too well they know' from An Ode on the Death of Mr Henry Purcell
  • Attrib Cesare Morelli, Samuel Pepys   Ah! Happy Isle!
  •   Go, perjured man! And if thou e'er return
  •   Phoebus God, beloved by men
  •   Beauty retire
  • Francesco Geminiani   Concerto Grosso in D minor, La Follia (after Corelli Op 5 No 12)
  • Thomas Arne   Sweet muse inspire thy suppliant bard
  • Jean Baptiste Loeillet   Sonata in A minor for Flute and Continuo, Op 3 No 4
  • George Frideric Handel   Harpsichord Concerto in G major
  •   Mi palpita il cor
  • Charles Ignatius Sancho (arr Nico Canzano)   Suite of Songs and Dances
  • Roderick Williams   From Ignatius Sancho (world premiere)

Performers

  • Academy of Ancient Music  
  • Laurence Cummings   director and harpsichord
  • Reginald Mobley   countertenor

Pre-concert talk

6.30pm, Milton Court Concert Hall

Free

Digital Programme

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Milton Court Concert Hall

Location
Milton Court Concert Hall is located within the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and is approximately a 5 minute walk from the Barbican entrance on Silk Street.  

Address
Milton Court
Silk St, London
EC2Y 9BH

Nearby public transport
We are within walking distance from a number of London Underground stations, the closest being Barbican, Old Street, St Paul’s and Moorgate. The nearest train stations are Liverpool Street and Farringdon. Bus Route 153 runs directly past the Barbican along Chiswell Street

Car and bicycle parking
We have free bicycle spaces and paid car parking spaces available