Event Archives

All events, both live and online which have taken place since October 2020 are archived here. You can view event details and download a programme.

If you’re looking for older events (going back to 2016) please click here.

Sunday 27 October, 19.30

Catherine & Mary: Tudor Queens Forever Entwined - Cantoría

EVENT OVER. Spanish music surrounding the stories of two queens: Catherine of Aragon and Mary I

Saturday 26 October, 19.30

French Connections - BREMF Players & Baroque Collective Singers

EVENT OVER. Choral and orchestral concert including Carissimi's poignant early oratorio Jephte

Saturday 26 October, 13.00

Decameron Musicale - Rune

EVENT OVER. A mosaic of musical stories from medieval Europe

Friday 25 October, 19.30

Smock Alley - Irlandiani

EVENT OVER. A vibrant blend of Irish and Italian baroque combined with Irish traditional music

Sunday 20 October, 18.30 & 20.30

Hildegard Transfigured 2 - Voice

EVENT OVER. Female vocal trio Voice returns to BREMF with a new version of their spellbinding medieval trance for the 21st century

Saturday 19 October, 21.00

BREMF Live Clubnight - BREMF Live young artist ensembles

EVENT OVER. Join the BREMF Live musicians for informal performances in a pub setting

Saturday 19 October, 15.30

BREMF Live Showcase - BREMF Live young artist ensembles

EVENT OVER. Our popular annual showcase of the latest up and coming talent on the early music scene

Saturday 19 October, 13.00

Don’t Stop the Music - Flutes & Frets

EVENT OVER. A lunchtime concert of music on an array of lutes and flutes connecting four centuries.

Friday 18 October, 19.30

Connections of Power - Cappella Pratensis & BREMF Consort of Voices

EVENT OVER. Music for the 1468 wedding of Margaret of York to Charles the Bold of Burgundy

Sunday 13 October, 19.00

Origins - Various artists

EVENT OVER. An immersive show exploring ancient roots and connections via music, dance and stories from the Mediterranean, India and West Africa

Saturday 12 October, 19.00

The Forgotten Scarlatti - Armonico Consort

EVENT OVER. Newly discovered music by Francesco Scarlatti alongside Vivaldi’s iconic Gloria

Saturday 12 October, 13.00

Musical Meeting Places - Blondel

EVENT OVER. A lunchtime concert of music from the 14th and 15th centuries

Friday 11 October, 19.30

Truly Madly Baroque - Red Priest

EVENT OVER. Red Priest opens the 2024 Festival in style, exploring connections between music and the madness of love

Sunday 6 October, 14.00 - 17.00

Vivaldi Gloria Workshop - Christopher Monks

EVENT OVER. A choral workshop for all on Vivaldi's Gloria, led by Christopher Monks of the Armonico Consort

Saturday 5 October, 10.30 & 12.00

OAE TOTS - Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

EVENT OVER. Come and join the OAE on a musical adventure for 2-5 year olds and their parents and carers.

Wednesday 2 October, 20.00

The Telling Unchained - The Telling

EVENT OVER. The Telling as you've never seen them before: stripped back, informal and unchained!

Saturday 28 September, 18.30

Singer Songwriter Connective - Dowland Youth Works

EVENT OVER. A performance by Laurence Williams, Sam Brown & Dowland Youth Works, joined by local young performers

Saturday 28 September, 13.00 - 16.00

Singer Songwriter Workshop - Dowland Youth Works

EVENT OVER. Free workshop for 16-25 year olds connecting John Dowland with singer-songwriters through the ages

Saturday 21 September, 11.00; 12.15; 14.15; 15.30

Polyphony Crawl - BREMF Consort of Voices

EVENT OVER. Free short performances of renaissance polyphony in four churches across Brighton

Saturday 14 September, 10.00 - 17.00

Singing 15th-century Music - Tim Braithwaite

EVENT OVER. A workshop for experienced consort singers led by Tim Braithwaite of Cappella Pratensis

Sunday 8 September, 11.00 - 12.00

Lion dance course - Palaye Seck

REGISTRATION CLOSED. Learn the West African lion dance in a free six week course, and participate in Origins on 13 October

Saturday 7 September, 11.00 - 17.00

Medieval Greatest Hits - Emily Baines

EVENT OVER. A workshop for early instrumentalists and singers led by Emily Baines

Friday 28 June, 19:30

Theodora - BREMF Community Choir

EVENT OVER. BREMF Community Choir presents extracts from Handel's Theodora

Saturday 4 May, 15.00

The Contenance Angloise - BREMF Consort of Voices

EVENT OVER. A concert to mark the 650th anniversary of the deaths of both Walter Frye and Guillaume Dufay and to explore the ingenious and beautiful music of this late medieval period.

Saturday 17 February, 13.00

Baroque Gems from Versailles, Hamburg & London - BREMF 415 Workshop Orchestra

EVENT OVER.

Friday 19 January, 19.30

Wassail! - BREMF Community Choir

EVENT OVER. Join the BREMF Community Choir for a concert of seasonal music including Wassail songs, Medieval carols, and 15th century church music for the New Year.

Sunday 3 December, 15.00

Community Concert: A Heavenly Byrd -

EVENT OVER. A community event in aid of UNICEF, including carols for audience alongside some of the music from the previous day's Brighton concert.

Thursday 16 November, 19.30

Polyphony: Sacred Songs in the Chamber - BREMF Community Choir

EVENT OVER. An evening of polyphony with BREMF Community Choir including works by Sheppard, Tallis and Byrd.

Saturday 2 December, 18.00

A Heavenly Byrd in an Earthly Tree - BREMF Consort of Voices

EVENT OVER. Music for Advent and Christmas including medieval carols and works by Byrd, Cornysh and Sheppard.

Saturday 28 October, 19.30

Bach & Buxtehude - BREMF Players & Baroque Collective Singers

A choral and orchestral programme including Bach’s Cantata Christ lag in Todesbanden and Buxtehude’s beautiful Membra Jesu nostri. Prom tickets only.

Sunday 22 October, 19.30

Mother, Sister, Daughter - Musica Secreta

Music and intriguing stories of women across the ages, including newly discovered music, and a new commission by Joanna Marsh.

Saturday 21 October, 21.00

BREMF Live! Clubnight - BREMF Live! ensembles

Take in 500 years of music in short sets from up and coming ensembles over a pint at The Rose Hill.

Saturday 21 October, 15.30

BREMF Live! Showcase - BREMF Live! ensembles

500 years of music in 20-minute sets from the latest up and coming early music ensembles who are part of the Festival's young artist scheme BREMF Live!

Saturday 21 October, 13.00

Battle Cry: She Speaks - Helen Charlston & Toby Carr

A programme challenging the 17th-century obsession with female abandonment and lament.

Friday 20 October, 19.30

Medieval Enigmas - La Fonte Musica

An extraordinary programme by a figure now emerging as the leading composer of 14th-century music, Antonio Zacara da Teramo.

Sunday 15 October, 19.00

The Whispering Dome - various artists

A large-scale multi-media event featuring a varied range of traditional and early music from Europe, Morocco and West Africa tracing routes followed by migrating birds.

Saturday 14 October, 19.30

The Excellence of Women - Fieri Consort

After 400 years, the Fieri Consort reveals the newly discovered madrigals of Maddalena Casulana alongside works by another of Italy’s greatest composers, Barbara Strozzi.

Saturday 14 October, 13.00

A New Dawn - Ensemble Hesperi

The Malcolm Rose Memorial Concert: Ensemble Hesperi performs early baroque gems for recorder and harpsichord.

Friday 13 October, 18.00 & 20.30

Secret Byrd - The Gesualdo Six & Fretwork

An immersive staged Mass celebrating the 400-year legacy of William Byrd. A theatrical seance by candlelight that invites you inside the music like never before.

Thursday 12 October, 19.30

Freshly Ground Bass - Liturina & Ground Bass Jazz Trio

A spicy collaboration between baroque and jazz musicians on popular basslines across the centuries. This event is sold out but you may join the waiting list.

Saturday 7 October, 15.30 - 17.30

Festival Introduction -

Find out more about what’s on at BREMF this year, with talks, discussions, short performances and a chance to ask questions and meet the BREMF team. NB amended start time.

Saturday 7 October, 10.30 & 12.00

OAE TOTS: Pack your Bags - Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Bring your clapping hands, singing voices and stamping feet for this lively concert for 2-5 year olds and their parents & carers.

Saturday 30 September, 18.00

The Playford 400 Ceilidh -

With a band led by Emily Baines, fabulous music and a caller to teach the steps, this is going to be the liveliest ceilidh for all ages.

Saturday 30 September, 11.00 - 17.00

Playford 400 Workshop - Emily Baines

A workshop for early and folk instrumentalists celebrating the 400th anniversary of composer John Playford, playing music from The English Dancing Master.

Saturday 23 September, 11.00; 12.15; 14.30; 15.45

The Byrd Crawl - BREMF Consort of Voices

Free short performances of music by William Byrd in four churches across Brighton.

Saturday 16 September, 11.00 - 17.00

Choral Workshop: Byrd & Cornysh - Andrew Carwood

A workshop for experienced choral singers on the music of two composers with anniversaries this year - William Byrd and William Cornysh.

Sunday 10 September, 18.00

Satellite Event: To the Northern Star - Flauguissimo

Satellite Event: Join Flauguissimo for the launch of their latest album 'To the Northern Star'.

Thursday 6 July, 20.00

Triumphant Days, Charming Nights - BREMF Community Choir

A programme of music by Henry Purcell including Come, Come Ye Sons of Art.

Friday 7 April, 19:30

Songs of Divine Passion - Fair Oriana

Contemplative music for Holy Week from around Europe including the beautiful Couperin Leçons de Ténèbres.

Saturday 1 April, 19:00

A Double Bill for Passiontide & Easter - BREMF Consort of Voices

Music of lamentation and rejoicing by William Byrd (d.1623) and William Cornysh (d.1523)

Sunday 19 March, 14:00 - 17:00

Roses in Wild Weather - Victoria Couper

A singing afternoon of early and traditional songs, directed by Victoria Couper.

Saturday 18 February, 18:00

Byrd and Weelkes 400 - BREMF Consort of Voices

A one-hour concert of music by William Byrd and Thomas Weelkes, both of whom died in 1623.

Saturday 11 February, 15:00

A Musical Selection Box - BREMF 415 Workshop Orchestra with Horizon Voices

Music for voices and orchestra from the 16th – 18th centuries.

Thursday 19 January, 19:30

Wassail! - BREMF Community Choir

A concert of seasonal early music including wassailing songs with the BREMF Community Choir.

Sunday 4 December, 19:00

BREMF@home: Les Lullistes contre les Ramoneurs! -

Join us online for exquisite French vocal and instrumental music centred around the rivalry of the ‘Lullistes’ and the ‘Ramoneurs’.

Saturday 3 December, 19:00

BREMF@home: Over the Sea to Skye - Ensemble Hesperi

Join us online for the REAL music of the popular drama Outlander, including songs of the 1745 Jacobite rebellion and 18th-century melodies from the Highlands.

Friday 2 December, 19:00

BREMF@home: The Daksha Yagna - Aradhana Arts

Join us online to explore a powerful mythological story from the ancient Hindu scriptures about Sati, who married the ascetic Lord Shiva much against the wishes of her father, King Daksh.

Sunday 27 November, 19:00

BREMF@home: BREMF Live! Showcase - Various ensembles

Join us online for 20-minute sets by emerging early music ensembles featuring instrumental and vocal music from the 12th to the 19th centuries.

Saturday 26 November, 19:00

BREMF@home: ¡Bailemos! - Joglaresa

Join us online for a concert to celebrate the legacy of Belinda Sykes. Come and join the party!

Friday 25 November, 19:00

BREMF@home: Myths & Legends of Classical Antiquity - Canzona

Join us online for elegant French baroque music by Rameau, Clérambault, Marais and Leclair, performed by some of the finest musicians on the early music scene.

Saturday 17 December, 19:30

BREMF@ Christmas: Pour Noël - BREMF Singers & Players

A French baroque festive celebration including Charpentier Messe de Minuit pour Noël.

Friday 16 December, 19:30

BREMF@ Christmas: Puer Natus Est - BREMF Consort of Voices

Seasonal music by Byrd, Sheppard & Tallis including Tallis' Christmas mass Puer natus est nobis.

Sunday 23 October, 7.30pm

Les Lullistes contre les Ramoneurs! - Ensemble Molière with Angela Hicks & Kieran White

Exquisite French vocal and instrumental music centred around the rivalry of the ‘Lullistes’ and the ‘Ramoneurs’.

Saturday 22 October, 9pm

BREMF Live! Clubnight - BREMF Live! ensembles

Enjoy informal performances from five BREMF Live! ensembles over a pint at The Rose Hill.

Saturday 22 October, 7.30pm

Inspiring Bach - Spiritato with The Marian Consort

Profound and uplifting cantatas, collected and admired by JS Bach himself.

Saturday 22 October, 3pm

BREMF Live! Showcase - BREMF Live! ensembles

20-minute sets by emerging early music ensembles featuring instrumental and vocal music from the 12th to the 19th centuries.

Friday 21 October, 8pm

In Rime Sparse il Suono - Carlotta Colombo & Michele Pasotti

Airs and laments by Sigismondo d’India for voice and theorbo.

Thursday 20 October, 8pm

Masterclass for Young Singers -

Masterclass for young singers and vocal ensembles with Michele Pasotti and Carlotta Colombo of La Fonte Musica.

Wednesday 19 October, 8pm

Over the Sea to Skye - Ensemble Hesperi

The REAL music of the popular drama Outlander, including songs of the 1745 Jacobite rebellion and 18th-century melodies from the Highlands.

Sunday 16 October, 11am - 5pm

Choral Workshop: Évora, cradle of Portugal’s Golden Age - Dr David Allinson

A workshop exploring music by Manuel Cardoso, Felipe de Magalhães and Duarte Lobo.

Saturday 1 October, 7.30pm

Music for St Michael - BREMF Consort of Voices

A pre-festival concert with BREMF Consort of Voices, featuring music by Josquin, Taverner, Palestrina, Victoria, Praetorius and Vivanco.

Thursday 29 September, 8pm

La liberazione di Ruggiero film preview screening - BREMF Early Opera

A preview screening of our film of Francesca Caccini's 1625 opera La liberazione di Ruggiero, in the style of Georges Méliès.

Sunday 26 June, 6pm

Eliza is the Fairest Queen - Fair Oriana

EVENT OVER. Popular songs from the reigns of our two queen Elizabeths - a Jubilee event with a difference!

Sunday 26 June, 3pm

The Daksha Yagna - Aradhana Arts

EVENT OVER. A rich King. A grand ceremony. A sacrificial fire. A reincarnation. A powerful mythological story from the ancient Hindu scriptures about Sati, who married the ascetic Lord Shiva much against the wishes of her father, King Daksh.

Sunday 26 June, 12 noon

Indian Music & Dance Workshop, Brighton - Aradhana Arts

EVENT OVER. Come and learn about the beautiful traditions of North Indian classical music and dance from three of the UK’s most distinguished performers.

Saturday 25 June, 8pm

Folk in Transition - Hope Cove

EVENT OVER. From the British Isles to the New World. Blending traditional ballads, Irish jigs, Scottish reels and Appalachian bluegrass, Hope Cove draw their repertoire from centuries of music on both sides of the Atlantic.

Saturday 25 June, 5pm

¡Bailemos! - Joglaresa

EVENT OVER. Get your dancing shoes on for a concert that will (literally) be electrifying as we celebrate the legacy of Belinda Sykes. Come and join the party!

Saturday 25 June, 2.30pm

Endo the Earthworm perf 2 - Rust & Stardust

EVENT OVER. Nature in transition: from below ground to above, from predator to prey, from nourishment to nutrients and from a caterpillar to a beautiful butterfly. For primary-aged children and the young in spirit.

Saturday 25 June, 11am

Endo the Earthworm perf 1 - Rust & Stardust

Friday 24 June, 9pm

Transiting the Night Hours - BREMF Consort of Voices

EVENT OVER. Sacred music and chant from the monastic night Offices of Compline and Matins fills the glorious spaces of St Bartholomew’s Church.

Friday 24 June, 7.30pm

In Transit to the Baroque - In Echo

EVENT OVER. The tale of the birth of the baroque typically focuses on vocal music but this concert tells a parallel story from the point of view of instrumental music, featuring music by Arcadelt, Willaert, Marini and Bertali.

Sunday 12 June, 11am

Indian Music & Dance Workshop, Crawley - Aradhana Arts

EVENT OVER. Come and learn about the beautiful traditions of North Indian classical music and dance from three of the UK’s most distinguished performers.

Thursday 14 July, 7.30pm

Magnificat! – A concert of baroque music - BREMF Community Choir

EVENT OVER. A concert of Baroque music including Vivaldi Magnificat

Thursday 27 January, 19:30

Wassail! - BREMF Community Choir

EVENT OVER. The BREMF Community Choir presents a concert of seasonal music featuring ‘Revertere’ - a 15th Century Candlemas Carol; Wassail songs; and English Dances from the 15th Century.

Saturday 18 December, 7.30pm

BREMF@Christmas - BREMF Choirs, BREMF Players, The English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble

EVENT OVER. Join BREMF in St Martin's Church for a festive performance of Heinrich Schütz 'The Christmas Story', and seasonal polychoral motets by Schütz, Gabrieli, Praetorius and Mouton. With mulled wine, fizz and mince pies!

Sunday 24 October, 7.30pm

Five Marian Legends - Joglaresa

EVENT OVER. The legendary Joglaresa presents an evening of medieval cantigas telling of weird and wonderful miracles performed by the Virgin Mary, saving body and soul of many a hapless knight!

Saturday 23 October, 4pm

BREMF Live! Showcase - various young artists

EVENT OVER. BREMF’s ever-popular showcase of emerging talent features programmes from three exciting young early music ensembles who are part of the Festival’s young artist scheme.

Friday 22 October, 7.30pm

Myths & Legends of Classical Antiquity - Canzona

EVENT OVER. Elegant French baroque music by Rameau, Clérambault, Marais and Leclair, performed by some of the finest musicians on the early music scene.

Thursday 21 October, 8pm

Josquin & Fayrfax 500 - BREMF Consort of Voices

EVENT OVER. An expanded version of our summer concert celebrating two renaissance 'legends', one English and one pan European, who both died in 1521; this time performed in a resonant church acoustic. Richly scored uplifting polyphony, worth a re-visit or to enjoy for the first time.

Wednesday 20 October, 7.30pm

I, Spie - The Telling

EVENT OVER. The imagined story of John Dowland, as he combines his life as a court musician/composer with the Elizabethan espionage underworld. A new concert-play by Clare Norburn with Elizabethan tavern, street and courtly music.

Saturday 26 June,

Online Conference: Where now for ‘early’ music? -

EVENT OVER. Zoom conference for all involved in the UK early music sector, Saturday 26 & Sunday 27 June 2021

Sunday 11 July, 7pm

Opera @ The Spa Gala Fundraiser - BREMF Early Opera young artists

EVENT OVER. Highlights from Francesca Caccini’s colourful and witty opera 'La liberazione di Ruggiero'

Saturday 3 July, 6pm & 8pm

The Madrigal Reimagined - Monteverdi String Band

EVENT OVER. An exciting exploration of the madrigal

Sunday 20 June, 6pm & 8pm

A Midsummer Night’s Dream - Pocket Sinfonia

EVENT OVER. An enchanting midsummer evening of music and drama telling Shakespeare’s magical story with music by Mendelssohn.

Sunday 13 June, 7pm

The Destined Knot - Fieri Consort

EVENT OVER. Exquisite music inspired by Guarini’s tragicomedy play 'The faithful shepherd'

Sunday 13 June, 3pm

The New Troy - Lux Musicae London

EVENT OVER. The Legend of London in the 17th century: A trip through London’s mythical origins with music by Byrd and Coperario

Saturday 12 June, 6pm & 8pm

Josquin & Fayrfax 500 - BREMF Consort of Voices

EVENT OVER. An evening of contemplative and uplifting renaissance polyphony

Sunday 6 June, 1pm & 3pm

Bhrama-Vishnu-Shiva - Aradhana Arts

EVENT OVER. A vibrant fusion of poetry, Indian Classical music and Kathak dance

Saturday 5 June, 6pm & 8pm

The Forest of Mythical Breezes - Flauguissimo Ensemble

EVENT OVER. Mythical stories unfold to music by Charpentier, Lully, Couperin and Rameau

Sunday 21 March, 16.00 (17.00 CET)

A Pastoral Journey: Highlights from BREMF@home 2020 - Ensemble Augelletti & Pocket Sinfonia

A special programme to celebrate Early Music Day 2021 - highlights from our 2020 Festival with Ensemble Augelletti and Pocket Sinfonia.

Friday 5 February, 19.30

Con Arte e Maestria - Monteverdi String Band in focus: Oliver Webber (violin) and Steven Devine (keyboards)

EVENT OVER. Intricate and virtuosic ornamented works from the dawn of the Baroque by Rognoni, Giovanni Bovicelli, Michelangelo Rossi and Giovanni Gabrieli.

Sunday 1 November, 7pm

The Four Faces of Gaia - Various

EVENT OVER. Music from The Gambia, India, the Middle East and Europe, plus a new commission The Whispering Dome exploring musical connections around the globe.

Sunday 1 November, 3pm

Sweet Ayres of Arcadia - Musicke in the Ayre

EVENT OVER. Within the Arcadian landscape of the Sussex Downs, the house and gardens of St Mary’s Bramber provide the setting for songs on the beauty of nature.

Saturday 31 October, 7pm

Rebellion! - Joglaresa

EVENT OVER. Subversive artists Joglaresa perform medieval protest songs with some contemporary flavours and vivid animation.

Saturday 31 October, 3pm

Bird Charmer - Piers Adams (of Red Priest)

EVENT OVER. A virtuoso player and an enthusiastic naturalist meet in the woods to share knowledge of songbirds and some music inspired by them.

Friday 30 October, 7pm

Introducing the Trumpet Marine - The Society of Strange and Ancient Instruments

EVENT OVER. Meet the trumpet marine, a towering, single-stringed instrument with a host of resonating or sympathetic strings.

Sunday 25 October, 7pm

BREMF Live! Revisited - Apollo's Cabinet, Dramma per Musica, Ensemble Hesperi and Voice

EVENT OVER. Our annual showcase featuring ensembles selected for our BREMF Live! young artists programme.

Sunday 25 October, 3pm

Connections - Dirk & Adam Campbell

EVENT OVER. New and traditional music illustrates connections between living traditions and ancient antiquity.

Saturday 24 October, 7pm

Arcadian Wilderness - Ensemble Augelletti

EVENT OVER. Music inspired by Arcadia – an ancient, mythical space of unspoilt wilderness where the inhabitants lived in harmony with their natural surroundings.

Saturday 24 October, 10.30am

Birds, Bugs & Other Beasts - Spiritato

EVENT OVER. Family programme including music by Biber: meet the beautiful animal puppets - made from things we usually throw away - and hear their important message about rubbish and recycling.

Friday 23 October, 7pm

Pocket-Sized Classics - Pocket Sinfonia

EVENT OVER. Newly commissioned animation and film of the natural world accompany two of the best-loved classics of all times, each arranged and reduced to chamber proportions.