The York Early Music Festival returns this year with eight days of music making featuring 19 concerts with a line-up of outstanding international artists.

They include The Sixteen, The Tallis Scholars and Academy of Ancient Music from 4th — 11th July with highlights including the debut of the French based orchestral ensemble Le Consort presenting their remarkable rendition of Vivaldi's famous 'Four Seasons'

Weaves together

A spokesperson told 4BR: "Overall the festival weaves together three main strands: the anniversary of Renaissance composer Orlando Gibbons; the genius of the Baroque with music of Vivaldi and Bach, and the story of Man's fall from grace from Heaven to Hell."

The festival opens with the internationally acclaimed viol consort Fretwork working with BBC New Generation Artist Helen Charlston focusing on Orlando Gibbons and closes with the Academy of Ancient Music, led by violinist Bojan Cicic, in a celebration of Bach's violin concertos.

Two of the winners from last year's York Early Music Festival Young Artists Competition Ayres Extemporae and Ensemble Bastion will also be performing.

The festival showcases a variety of the city's beautiful historic buildings including the magnificent Minster, the medieval masterpiece of the Merchant Adventurers' Hall, and the intriguing hidden architectural gem Bedern Hall.

'Heaven & Hell ... Yours to Choose' is inspired by Man's fall from grace and features music by Purcell, Charpentier, Strozzi and Monteverdi4BR

Heaven and Hell

'Heaven & Hell … Yours to Choose' is inspired by Man's fall from grace and features music by Purcell, Charpentier, Strozzi and Monteverdi, with a new commission by Anna Disley-Simpson — one of 24 alumni of the National Centre for Early Music's Young Composers Award

Anna told 4BR that the piece was going to be "deliberately subversive and unexpected in several ways!". The commission is supported by The Hinrichsen Foundation and an anonymous donor.

Full programme

Full programme: https://www.ncem.co.uk/whats-on/yemf/