Stile Antico by Byrd, Morley, T., Phillips, Peter, Tompkins, T., Alkaen (2023/2023), Temple Church, London, United Kingdom

England’s Nightingale The remarkable music of William Byrd To open our William Byrd Festival, renowned vocal ensemble Stile Antico explore the many faces of this extraordinary composer, among the greatest that England has ever produced. They weave together the strands of Byrd’s complex life as both pillar of the Protestant musical establishment and faithful servant to the underground Catholic community. We encounter Byrd working loyally at the Chapel Royal, hear his anguished musical pleas in support of his fellow Catholics, and savour the gentler music of his latter years. The programme features some of Byrd's most beloved works, including Ave verum corpus, Sing Joyfully, and Ne irascaris, alongside lesser-known gems and music by his pupils Thomas Morley, Peter Philips, and Thomas Tomkins: