Our first new project for 2026 is dedicated to the music and story of George Jeffreys (c.1610-1685). This fascinating but forgotten composer wrote astonishing, passionate works of English religious music, influenced by the painful dissonance and vivid word-setting of the Italian madrigalists. Writing in almost total obscurity due to his patron’s support of the losing side in the English Civil War, Jeffreys’ voice is unique and powerful, and fully deserves to be heard again today.
Federay Holmes of the Globe Theatre has written the script for ‘Catching Lightning’, our dramatised concert which sets Jeffreys’ music in the frame of English music before and after him, with pieces by William Byrd, William Lawes, and Henry Purcell. Six singers are joined by violins, viols, lute, and organ, and the part of George himself will be acted by James Garnon, also of the Globe.
The performances of this project mark a number of debuts for us: there are a few tickets remaining at the Bath Bachfest (19 February) and at London’s Wigmore Hall(24 February) if you are able to join us and yet to book your seats.
In Zurich (28 February) and St Gallen (1 March) we will perform an extended version of the musical programme, without the spoken English dialogue. We are very excited to visit these new cities in Switzerland.
🎥 Watch the video below to learn more about Jeffreys and get a flavour of his music. It was made during the recording sessions of our album of his complete English vocal works for 4 and 5 voices with continuo, available to buy through our website.
