Concert Programmes
Love Restor’d
In the summer of 1660, London’s theatres were finally able to open again after 18 long years of puritan rule. This extraordinary time led to a theatrical revolution and a new English baroque music exemplified by Henry Purcell, born just a year before the restoration of the monarchy. Known as the ‘English Orpheus’ Purcell brought together continental musical innovations with the English language, creating works capable of expressing romance, tragedy and comedy to an extent that remains unsurpassed.
Ceruleo have devised a programme that runs the gamut of restoration English music, encompassing some of Purcell’s most famous pieces alongside his lesser known works and those by John Blow and John Eccles. We celebrate the first female stars of the English stage, the rich instrumental textures of the period and the Italian and French influences on this incredible music, bringing to life for new audiences the joy and excitement that came from a return to live performance 350 years ago.
A new Purcell theatre show for the 21st century taking the audience on a fictional journey inside the head of composer Henry Purcell.
Purcell is in his final illness, suffering from feverish dream-like hallucinations in which the past, present and fantasy collide and his songs take on a life of their own, moving from the ‘theatre of his mind’ to the actual theatre and beyond!
Paradise Lost
This programme celebrates the 350th anniversary of the publication of John Milton's epic poem 'Paradise Lost', one of the greatest works of epic poetry in the English language. We intersperse music of the time that reflects Milton's words by Purcell, Blow and Carissimi with readings from 'Paradise Lost', creating an evocative atmosphere.
Deplorable Fire
Featuring music from the time of the Great Fire of London and the restoration period in England, including works by John Blow, Henry Purcell, Pelham Humphrey and Christopher Simpson. Pieces are interspersed with reading from the diaries of Samuel Pepys and John Evelyn.
Betrayal
Ceruleo explores themes of love and betrayal through the music of George Frederic Handel and Barbara Strozzi. Including the dramatic cantata ‘La Lucrezia’, depicting the emotional aftermath of the rape of Lucretia, and chamber duets by Handel and Strozzi, the programme is interwoven with poetry and spoken word.
Aspects of Love
This programme includes musical treats by Monteverdi, Purcell and Strozzi that perfectly suit Ceruleo's forces. It is interspersed with love poetry from the 17th century taken from the book 'The Cavalier and his Lady', along with words by William Shakespeare.
Passion and Seduction
An exploration of the music of female Italian composers including Barbara Strozzi, Isabella Leonarda and Francesca Vizzana, this programme compares the passionate secular and sacred music of the 17th century in Italy through music and poetry.