Chelmsford Cathedral provides an ideal setting for this unique performance, featuring music partly composed in the local area - specifically at Ingatestone Hall, the historic home of the Petre family.
Brean Hammond, the playwright, takes on the role of William Byrd, the renowned composer and Royal Chapel musician. A contemporary of Shakespeare, Byrd is celebrated as one of England’s greatest composers. His choral music will be performed by Cantica Viva, conducted by Deborah Davies.
Set in the year 1611, Master Byrd imagines the composer rehearsing a makeshift choir at his patron’s house in Ingatestone, Essex. Through six short monologues, Byrd reflects on his life, his music, his marriage, and his Catholic faith during a time of intense Protestant rule. He considers his relationship with Queen Elizabeth I, recalls the fear of persecution following the Gunpowder Plot, and contemplates the work of his most fascinating contemporary, Shakespeare. Throughout, we witness Byrd wrestling with the mystery of his art and the spiritual depth it brings to his life.
Master Byrd is far more than a “greatest hits” concert. It is a compelling theatrical experience that brings to life the challenges Byrd faced as a composer working under threat, often in secret. The performance offers audiences an intimate glimpse into his world and the enduring power of his music.
And yes - you’ll hear the greatest hits too.
