A new music festival is bringing centuries-old sounds back to life.
Salisbury Musick, a new early music festival in Salisbury, is inspired by historic concerts held in the city 250 years ago.
The original Salisbury music festivals, held annually from around 1700 to 1780, featured some of the era’s most prominent musicians and were considered nationally significant, rivalling events in London and Bath.
Nigel Wyatt, one of the festival organisers, said: “After we had planned the dates for the new festival we’re launching, we then discovered that it was almost exactly 250 years to the day that the festival in 1775 happened in Salisbury.
“When we realised this coincidence, we thought it was meant to be.”
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The Farrant Singers.(Image: Supplied)
The 1775 festival, in particular, serves as a touchstone for the new event, which will take place during the first weekend of October.
Salisbury Musick has been organised by four local musicians passionate about early music – compositions written before 1750 and performed on period instruments.
The programme includes concerts by local ensembles, performances by visiting experts, talks and children’s events.
Audience members will have the chance to see and hear instruments such as harpsichords, lutes, viols and a natural horn.
Events will be held at venues across the city, including the Medieval Hall, Salisbury Museum and St Thomas’s Church.
Ebble.(Image: Supplied)
Highlights include candlelit concerts in the Medieval Hall, a gala performance of Bach’s Mass in B Minor, and a harpsichord recital.
Internationally acclaimed artist David Wright will perform works by Bach, Handel and Scarlatti, as well as lesser-known contemporaries.
There will also be concerts for young children, led by musician Alice Poppleton, assisted by baroque cellist Jacob Garside.
Fellow organiser Miranda Dodd said: “I love early music and it’s a joy to share that passion with a wider audience.
“Inspiring the next generation is especially important to me, which is why we’ve invited young performers to join us in two of our concerts.
“Salisbury has a vibrant music community and it’s wonderful to see our local performers and visiting experts sharing their expertise with local people and visitors to the city.”
Salisbury Musick will take place from Friday, October 3 to Sunday, October 5.
Further details and booking information are available on the Salisbury Musick website.
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‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source uk.news.yahoo.com ’
