Ann Allen’s Baroque group Syrinx made a great impression when it was in residence during the 2016 Festival.  Now she returns with the international line-up of virtuosos that is Mediva, one of Europe’s most accomplished and innovative Mediaeval groups.  It has appeared in many of the major music festivals in Britain and on the Continent, receiving enthusiastic reviews for its recordings, most recently a CD of music by Hildegard of Bingen and the contemporary composer Hugh Collins Rich.

Gabriel’s Message is a vivid celebration of Advent and Christmas.  Songs, carols and dances from Mediaeval England evoke the sounds of winter, from harsh winds to crackling fires, from a peal of bells to a baby’s cry.

In this special concert Mediva performs with a choir of children drawn from local schools and trained by Tom Stapleton as part of our developing education programme.

‘Played and sung with much beauty and impressive commitment in a voyage of discovery for composer, performers and listeners alike’  Choir & Organ