"One of the most gifted and more musically intelligent of all the early
music groups currently before the public"
(Musical Opinion)
Formed in 1991, The Musicke Companye brings together superb musicianship and stagecraft, in highly original and dynamic programmes.
The Musicke Companye is 20!
Highlights of the last 20 years include many performances at London's Wigmore Hall, fabulous venues such as Berkeley Castle, the Palace at Bishop Auckland, Holywell Music Room in Oxford, The National Portrait Gallery (London), the British Embassy in Oslo, the cathedrals of Wells and Gloucester, and Festivals in Denmark, Poland, and Sweden's arctic circle complete with midnight sun. Staggering up to a hilltop church (with harpsichord) in the baking Spanish midday heat and the golden splendour and acoustic of St Mark's in Zagreb. Performing 17th Century Italian sacred music surrounded by an exhibition of ornamental ladies underwear at the Accademia Italiana in London. Driving miles of frozen roads in Norway and Sweden, telling bad jokes to keep awake, and the summer idylls of Grassington, Dartington, and numerous beautiful English village churches at festival time. A sell-out "Pergolesi's Stabat Mater" in Nicosia, teaching in Florence, Chinon and Poland. Performing at the Universities of Oxford, Aberystwyth and Cambridge, primary schools, even a borstal with bars on the windows, and of course, our alma mater, the Royal Academy of Music. The excitement of premières of specially commissioned works by composers Adrian Williams and Matthew Taylor, and revivals of forgotten baroque masterpieces. Recording for Danske Radio in high summer, in a convent surrounded by fields of waving corn, and becoming the first early music ensemble to be featured in BBC Radio 3‘s Young Artists Forum. Our very first public concert in September 1991 at Surrey's Chilworth Manor for "Fight for Sight” and a glamorous £50 each, and last but not least, Helen's mother's chocolate cake.
In twenty years we have had so much fun, performed with extra-ordinarily talented guest musicians, met the most wonderful audiences, promoters and sponsors, been treated to splendid receptions after concerts and stayed with dozens of exceptionally generous music lovers. We are constantly grateful and delighted by the warmth of hospitality in the UK and around the world. Aren't we lucky to be musicians!
