We were privileged to make our debut as part of the historic series that is the BBC Proms, flying the flag in Aberystwyth.
Our programme saw us journey through five centuries of madrigals, from Renaissance Italy, to English Tudor composers Thomas Weelkes (celebrating his 400th anniversary this year) and Orlando Gibbons, through to György Ligeti and Judith Weir. It was a particular highlight to close our programme with “My heart is like a singing bird”, composed for us by Sarah Rimkus in 2016. The concert also featured our newest member, countertenor Alasdair Austin, singing alongside outgoing bass Sam Mitchell!
Programme: A Madrigal Wonderland
Luca Marenzio Potrò viver io più se senza luce
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Io son ferito, ahi lasso
Maddalena Casulana Morir non può il mio cuore
Carlo Gesualdo Asciugate i begli occhi
Claudio Monteverdi Sì, ch’ io vorrei morire
Jacques Arcadelt Il bianco e dolce cigno
Orlando Gibbons The silver swan
William Byrd This sweet and merry month of May
Thomas Weelkes As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending
Thomas Weelkes Thule the period of cosmographie
György Ligeti Nonsense Madrigals (1-3)
Thomas Weelkes The nightingale, the organ of delight
Thomas Weelkes The ape, the monkey and baboon
György Ligeti Nonsense Madrigals (4-6)
Judith Weir Madrigal
Sarah Rimkus My heart is like a singing bird
Find out more about The Gesualdo Six on our website.