Brilliance, freedom and vitality - Britten’s passion for the songs of Purcell and Dowland

“One of my chief aims is to try to restore to the musical setting of the English Language a brilliance, freedom and vitality that have been curiously rare since the death of Purcell”.

Britten’s words are a starting point for this exploration of the music of two of his musical heroes - Dowland and Purcell - through a variety of musical perspectives.

Members of the RBC Vocal Department join forces with students from across the Conservatoire in a concert of songs exploring their masterful setting of the English language and the essence of song accompaniment.