The musical ‘Renaissance’ covers a period of roughly 200 years. Throughout this time, musical styles, cultures, tastes and thinking shifted dramatically across Europe. ‘A Renaissance Journey’ invites you to step directly into this era of profound transformation and experience some of the sublime music from across this 200 years.

Follow the Clerks and L’Isola for three recitals in churches around Cambridge as part of Cambridge Early Music’s Villages Tour, with vocal music from three key figures of the Renaissance: John Dunstable, Josquin des Prez and William Byrd. From the rich harmonies of Dunstable that defined the ‘English Sound’ to the masterful polyphony of Josquin and other Flemish masters, to the deeply emotional, secretive masterpieces of Byrd, this day of recitals offers a rare, immersive passage through two centuries of creative genius.

The Clerks and L’Isola are extensions of the University of Cambridge’s Early Music Consort. Much of their performance is from period sources, engaging with and exploring parameters such as pronunciation, tempi and vocal timbre; with much of their repertoire being rarely, if ever, heard before in live performance.

L’Isola present the first of their concerts at Eddington Storey’s Field Center: De Monte’s Seventh book of Madrigals for Five Voices (1578)

L’Isola present the second of their concerts at Eddington Storey’s Field Center