Bold, Fearless and Rash

About

A tapestry of 15th century music from the courts of Burgundy and York.

Sirinu:  Sara Stowe - Soprano, Keyboard; Jon Banks - Gothic Harp, Dulcimer; Matthew Spring - Medieval Lute, Hurdy-Gurdy.

Bruges in 1468 witnessed the sumptuous wedding celebrations of Margaret of York, sister of Edward IV and Richard III to Charles the Rash, the last great Duke of Burgundy.  Margaret's brilliant court was home to some of the leading composers of the day - among them Dufay, Morton, Hayne and Binchois.  Sirinu presents a musical tapestry to illustrate the turbulent years of the 1470s and 80s.

Founded in 1992, Sirinu is a British ensemble specialising in early and world music, performing and recording music from the 11th century to the present day.  It has appeared at festivals and venues throughout Britain and Europe, Africa and South America and recorded for Metier, Chandos, Hyperion and European radio networks.  

Sara Stowe performs as both soloist and as a member of various music ensembles including New London consort, Dufay Collective, Academy of Ancient music, Taverner Consort and her output covers a huge range of music from 12th century to the present day. Sara has sung at festivals worldwide and made recordings for Chandos, Decca, Continuum, Hyperion and Merck.

Jon Banks is a specialist on the accordion and Middle Eastern string instruments. With The Burning Bush, Dufay Collective, Sirinu and Jocelyn Pook Ensemble he has recorded, broadcast and toured throughout Europe, the Middle East and the Americas. He is a regular performer and musical director at the Globe Theatre. 

Matthew Spring performs as a soloist and continuo player with a number of Early Music ensembles and has appeared on over 50 recordings. His 'History of the Lute in Britain' published by OUP and his edition of the Balcarres Manuscript both received awards. He gave the first continental performance of Howard Skempton's Concerto for Hurdy-gurdy and Percussion at the Musica Viva Festival, Munich and the first modern performance of Haydn's C major hurdy-gurdy concerto at Snape Maltings.