The National Centre for Early Music is delighted to announce the programme for York Early Music Festival taking place from 6 – 13 July 2024 and that tickets are now on sale.
This year’s festival focuses on the human voice and song, a combination prized for its power to communicate most directly, and through metamorphosis, the inspiration behind the creation, reimagination and reconstruction of music across time.
The festival features a spectacular line-up of vocal specialists including: The Gesualdo Six; Concerto Soave; Vox Luminis; and Cappella Pratensis.
Highlighting the theme of reimagination, guest artists including: the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment; The Sixteen; Gawain Glenton’s Ensemble In Echo; and the Rose Consort of Viols will be revealing how much composers have borrowed from each other and themselves.
Other highlights include:
A series of chamber concerts curated by BBC New Generation Artist and Festival Artistic Adviser Helen Charlston. Her guests include: the Consone Quartet; harpsichordist John Butt; and mezzo-soprano Rebecca Leggett.
Cubaroque – Nicolas Mulroy, Elizabeth Kenny and Toby Carr bring together an unusual programme of music by Purcell and Monteverdi, plus more modern songs from South America.
Two concerts by Apotropaïk, winners of the Friends Prize, the EEEmerging+ Prize and the Cambridge Early Music Prize at the York International Young Artists Competition in 2022.
The NCEM has also been working closely on a new collaboration with artists and colleagues based in Flanders with support from the Alamire Foundation, AMUZ in Antwerp and the Flanders Government.
The festival culminates with the prestigious biennial York International Young Artists Competition, a ground-breaking initiative attracting young artists from all over the world. Finalists spend time in York performing informal concerts and learning from experts before the final concerts on Saturday 13 July. Past winners include: Protean Quartet; L’Apothéose; Barroco Tout; and Sollazzo Ensemble.
Dr Delma Tomlin, MBE, Festival Director said:
“We’re looking forward to bringing you an outstanding line-up of artists, celebrating the power, magnificence and influence of the human voice over the centuries. This year’s exciting line-up sees the return of many festival favourites and a host of new ensembles. As well as performing, artistic adviser Helen Charlston, curates a series of concerts with an array of amazing guests. We’re especially thrilled to be working with Alamire Foundation, AMUZ in Antwerp and the Flanders Government, as part of a fantastic new partnership. The festival ends with one of the most important dates on the NCEM’s calendar, the York International Young Artists Competition York Early Music Festival. The NCEM is internationally renowned for promoting and mentoring aspiring young musicians through its extensive work and we can’t wait to host this year’s competition.
“The festival takes place in an array of York’s most beautiful churches and historic buildings, and this year includes four performances in the iconic York Minster.”
“Once again I would like to say a special thank you to the NCEM’s ever increasing number of Patrons and Friends for their invaluable support.”
