We are delighted to welcome Florilegium, one of Britain’s most prominent period-instrument ensembles, to the Festival for the first time. It performs regularly in leading concert venues around the world, collaborates with some of the world’s leading musicians, and has made more than 20 recordings for Channel Classics, many of which have been awarded prizes.

This popular programme brings together some of the finest chamber music from the early eighteenth century, written at a time when Italian, French and German composers were relishing and exploiting their diverse national styles.

Two of Telemann’s Paris Quartets, written during a visit to the city in 1737-8, are contrasted with music by French composers, including the famous Sonnerie by Marin Marais, imitating bells tolling in a Paris church, and Les charactères de la danse, a remarkable ‘choreographed symphony’ by Jean-Féry Rebel that tours eleven of the dances of the day in as many minutes. The programme is completed by a chamber concerto by Vivaldi, a trio sonata by Handel, and a fine suite by Jean-Marie Leclair that mixes the French and the Italian styles in a creative way.

‘Florilegium climbed the heights of dancing bliss and left the Wigmore [Hall] sighing with pleasure. They have become an indispensable feature on the early music landscape’ The Times.

‘Consistently rewarding … Baroque music playing of the highest quality from this outstanding ensemble’ Canberra Times.