Red Byrd
Fretwork
Viol consort Fretwork and vocal ensemble Red Byrd bring 16th century London to life through a series of intricate works fusing bawdy songs and sounds of the hubbub of the city’s streets with refined music for viols.
In 1530 London’s population was around 50,000 people. By 1605 it had swelled to 230,000 and London’s thriving streets were the place to buy and sell, with merchants shouting loud to penetrate the hubbub of everyday life. These ‘cries’ caught the attention of leading composers who set them to music in lively sound-portraits, which are brought to life once again in this performance.
Free pre-concert talk: The Gentle Author
6.30pm — 7.00pm, ticket required
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The popular blogger of Spitalfields Life discusses the context and history behind his new book The Cries of London.
This performance is part of a wider series on the Cries of London in conjunction with Bishopsgate Institute and Spitalfields Life.
Approximate end time: 9.00pm
Full programme
Orlando Gibbons Cries of London (past three o’clock)
2 Fantazias for the Great Dooble Bass in 4 parts
Cries of London (will you go with me)
Richard Deering City Cries
Country Cries
William Cobbold New Fashions
Thomas Ravenscroft The Cryers Song of Cheape-side
The Yeoman’s song of Kent
Three blind mice
The Marriage of the Frogge & the Mouse
Heigh ho away
Servants out of service, are going to the Citie to looke for new [work].
Long have we bin perplext
A Song of Pages, Chashiered from their Masters
Where are you fair maides
The Painters Song of London
Who liveth so merry
Hodge Trillindle to his Zweet hort Malkyn
