Wake up, sleeping hearts,
 The god of love is calling you
 You'll be very happy
 Because this is the good season.

 Listen to what the birds are telling eachother,
 Their sons are marvellous,
 They enjoy the beautiful weather
 Open your ears,
 It is spring!

Hesperos returns for our second concert of the year - a not insignificant year for choral singers, as we celebrate the anniversaries of William Byrd and Thomas Weelkes. Byrd wasn't above punning on his own name, so (without groaning) join us for a melodious and wood-haunting concert of music by Byrd, from his penitential music of exile and imprisonment, to his joyful psalm settings, paired with music inspired by, and sometimes imitating, the singing of birds.

Programme

William Byrd - Mass for Five Voices

Thomas Weelkes - When David heard

Byrd - Emendemus in melius

Byrd - Ne irascaris / Civitas Sanctis

Byrd - Vigilate

Byrd - The Eagle's Force

Maurice Ravel - Trois beaux oiseaux

Caroline Shaw - And the swallow

Roxanna Panufnik - Kyrie after Byrd

Thomas Vautor - Sweet Suffolk Owl

Réveillez vous, cœurs endormis - Clement Janequin