Breaking barriers in the Baroque, with Musicke in the Ayre

Musicke in the Ayre return to St Helen with a programme built around music written by or for women holding their own in the male-dominated world of 17th century music. The luscious sound of three soprano voices in ensemble was treasured by the noble courts of Italy and France, and exploited by various composers throughout the century, from Luzzascchi at Ferrara, Monteverdi and Strozzi in Venice, to Lambert in Versailles. Ferrara was where women performers were first valued for their virtuosity, with the 'Concerto delle Donne' setting an example to be followed elsewhere. This was the environment which allowed women like Francesca Caccini (and later on, Barbara Strozzi and Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre) to become accepted as signiificant composers by their male peers. The programme includes works by these ladies, as well as by some of these peers. As well as rarely-heard pieces for three sopranos, there are also delicious duets and striking solo songs, and a couple of lute solos from the period.

Audiences at St Helen will be familiar with Musicke in the Ayre who have performed there several times over the last few years. Musicke in the Ayre veteran sopranos Helen Atkinson and Marie Lemaire will be joined by Carmel Edwards to make up the requisite trio, with Din Ghani accompanying on archlute and baroque guitar.