Secret Byrd

St Mary's Parish Church, Haddington

Wed 13 Sept 7pm & 9.30pm

Duration: 1 hr 30 mins approx

Book this concert Wed 13 Sept 7pm
£26.25 Wed 13 Sept 9.30pm
£26.25








Director

c21-secret-byrd-photo-credit-mark-allan

Photo credit: Mark Allan

Hear Byrd’s Mass for 5 Voices as he intended: sung for worship in strictest secrecy in an extraordinary theatrical concert to celebrate the 400th anniversary of one of England’s finest composers. During the Reformation, Byrd was a recusant Catholic writing masses to be sung in secret by worshippers in private homes with smuggled priests, hidden Catholic artifacts and the constant danger of discovery and arrest. Byrd’s courage in expressing his faith through art is a continuing inspiration, when three quarters of the world’s population still suffer from religious intolerance.

The Gesualdo Six collaborate with viol consort Fretwork for the first time in an immersive performance by candlelight, created and directed by Bill Barclay and produced by Concert Theatre Works using imaginative production techniques to bring music to life. Soup and bread are passed to foster a sense of ritual and inclusivity. The audience roves freely among the costumed artists feeling the original hand-made part-books, all illuminated by candlelight. Help us celebrate Byrd’s activism by entering a living museum – a concert experience like never before.

[Promenade performance. Some seats available for those unable to stand]

. . . glorious . . . chillingly authentic . . . ominous, buoyant and uplifting.

The Guardian

St. Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington

The Collegiate Church of St Mary the Virgin is one of the great ecclesiastical buildings of mediaeval Scotland, founded in 1380 and known for centuries as "The Lamp of Lothian".

It was severely damaged in the 16th Century during Henry VIII's 'Rough Wooing' of Scotland, and after the Reformation only the nave was used as a parish church, with the choir and tower remaining roofless.

It was finally restored to its former glory in the 1970s, and is Scotland's longest church as well as one of its most beautiful, with a wonderfully warm, resonant acoustic.

St. Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington

Address

St. Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington
EH41 4BZ

Getting there by bus

Several Edinburgh to Haddington routes to the Market Street bus stop. All drop off in the High St, approx. 5-8 mins walk from the church.

Getting there by train

Edinburgh to North Berwick service every hour. Nearest station is Drem. Taxi info on station notice board.

Getting there by car

Haddington is 20 miles East of Edinburgh along the A1 dual carriageway. Travelling East take the second exit to Haddington – St Mary’s is signposted from the main road. Look to the South, and you will see the old church tower in the distance.

Accessibility

Parking:

There is free on-street parking 100m from the church, on the road, and throughout the town.

Only disabled parking is allowed in the church grounds. There are 3 disabled spaces for blue badge holders. Please email [email protected] if you require one of these spaces. First come, first served.

UPDATE: There are no blue badge spaces left for 14/09 Royal Northern Sinfonia or 18/09 BBC SSO concerts.

Terrain:

Tarmac and gravel

Induction Loop:
Yes

Toilets:
Good male/female provision plus adapted toilet for disabled.

Wheelchair Access:

Access is via the North Side (side) door, available 30 minutes before concert. Press bell for assistance. Level access into venue.

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Event information

Get in touch

If you need any information you don't see on the website, please email [email protected].

Contact Address

Lammermuir Festival
Poldrate
Haddington
East Lothian
EH41 4DA



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