Evelyn Tubb

At the age of 12 Evelyn was already a seasoned performer: singing, dancing, playing the trumpet, and always willing to entertain. Her assured performances are legendary: always stylish, full of pathos or humour, leaving the audience sometimes gasping at either her boldness or her delicacy. Her singing is wholly individual. Whilst obeying the best information on historical style she transcends any 'early music' definition of how the voice should be in this or that repertoire, and proceeds with an assured deftness to make the music her own, from within and heartfelt. Commitment is perhaps the best word to describe her impassioned ululation.

In recent years her work as Voice Professor at the famous Schola Cantorum in Basel, Switzerland, has attracted an ever-rising level of singing student, attracted by her warmth and understanding of the human dimension of singing and performing, as much as her considerable facility in teaching technical aspects. Words like 'support' take on new meaning in Evelyn's hands.

Anthony Rooley

A life-long belief in the power of performance as a ritual of great force and beauty has been the central philosophy in Anthony's practical work. This has informed all aspects of his endeavour: performing, teaching, directing, research work, and writing. And the love affair with the lute remains a constant source of pleasure, which continues to feed his imagination.

In working with others, both professional and student, it is this element of fantastical inspiration which communicates; and which seems to help liberate others to find a new, higher level of performance. Ideas about exploration of forgotten repertoires abound, some of which may see light of day in the near future.

Anthony Rooley is of course perhaps best-known as founder-director of the Consort of Musicke, which has been described as one of the seminal groups of the early music movement, and one of the dominant forces of the performance of Renaissance music from the 1970s onwards.

Programmes

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A Many Coloured Coat

Songs of love and devotion - Jerusalem as an emblem of love and devotion forms the central theme of this programme. Poetry, divine and passionate, and music from the several traditions which set that poetry: to the Jewish, Islamic and Christian religions Tony and Evelyn have added a fourth, not exactly a religion - the neo-Platonic, or 'mystery' religion - a form of exotic ethical beliefs which have often been condemned by orthodoxy of every hue. The music ranges widely, not only in place but also in time. Hildegard of Bingen from the 12th century rubs shoulders with Henry Purcell from the late 17th.


The Anatomy of Solitude

Lutesongs old and new on a perennial theme. This contemplative programme includes such pieces as John Dowland's Oh Sweet Woods, Thomas Ravenscroft's Musing mine own self all alone and Purcell's O Solitude!

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