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On Thursday 6 November, Gabrieli bring one of their most celebrated programmes to London, when we perform Purcell’s The Fairy Queen at St Martin in the Fields on Trafalgar Square. Our celebrated cast of soloists include Anna Dennis, Rowan Pierce, Jeremy Budd, Matthew Brook and Marcus Farnsworth.

Purcell’s semi-opera is a series of masques, originally conceived to be performed between the acts of Shakespeare’s play A Midsummer Night’s Dream. However, each masque is so perfectly formed, with such elaborate, exquisite music, that it is also ideal for concert performance. The music explores the many aspects of the human experience, from sadness and longing to great joy… and has a lot to say about love! Gabrieli’s performances of this repertoire, tapping into the lightness, elegance and delicacy of this hugely intimate, expressive music, have long been celebrated, not least in reviews of our 2019 recording:

“A fine recording … scholarly and sensitive… McCreesh and his performers give their impressive all to the miraculous score.” – The Times

“For his work there can be nothing but praise, from the subtle subdued hues produced by his strings, set up and bowed in accord with 17th-century practice, to the gossamer-like touch he brings to so much of the score… McCreesh’s Purcell … has no rival.” – Opera Magazine

“McCreesh’s production rises to the occasion: original voicing, unorthodox continuo, project- specific trumpet design and rediscovered string techniques bring out qualities missing from earlier recordings. Purcell’s hornpipes were never livelier, nor his chaconnes statelier, than in this performance.” – BBC Music Magazine

“Impeccable … McCreesh’s labour of love has abundant nuances and transcendent beauty – Editors’ Choice.” – Gramophone

Join us for an evening of extraordinary music making, in which our musicians revel in one of Purcell’s most thrilling, colourful and virtuosic scores.

Buy your tickets!

Gabrieli supporters are invited to join us for interval and post-concert drinks: please contact Holly Fitzpatrick to be added to the guestlist!