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Experience the music that would have been heard at two opposite ends of Europe during the the birth of the Baroque in the 17th century.

In London, the lute songs of John Dowland kicked the century off, while his younger colleague Robert Johnson looked forward towards the new style which by the end of the century was a characteristic of Henry Purcell's work. Over in Venice, Claudio Monteverdi was the towering presence through the first part of the century, establishing the new Baroque style; Francesco Cavalli followed with his huge contribution to opera, while his pupil Barbara Strozzi struck a blow across gender barriers with her prolific published output.

The versatile mezzo soprano Alice Simmons, at home performing Early to 21st century music, gives her first solo recital under the Musicke in the Ayre flag. She'll be accompanied by Din Ghani on various lutes and an archlute. This will be the first concert in Musicke in the Ayre's 2024 season at St Mary's Bathwick. Refreshments will be available before and after the hour-long performance.