Immerse yourself in the world of the greatEnglish composer Henry Purcell.

In hislifetime, he was most admired for his vocalmusic, and in the preface to the collectionof his songs, Orpheus Britannicus, HenryPlayford described his ‘particular Genius toexpress the energy of English Words, wherebyhe mov’d the Passions of all his Auditors’.

Instrumental works such as Fantasias forviol consort have become cornerstones ofthe repertoire, showing Purcell’s fascinationwith formal counterpoint inspired by Englishand Italian composers of the Renaissance,and, in turn, we explore the influence Purcellhad on the twentieth-century composersBenjamin Britten and Michael Tippett.

Thesessions are presented by Dame Emma Kirkbyand Liam Byrne with composer Julian Philipsand pianist Laura Roberts, alongside studentperformers from the Guildhall School ofMusic & Drama.