A highlight of our final 2023 event was a rhapsodic solo by virtuoso harpist Aileen Henry. What a pleasure to invite her back to open Stour 2024 with fabulous colleagues in a tailor-made 17th-century programme of miniatures from Venice and Rome. The programme features two dramatic laments: Carissimi’s bitter Lament of Mary Stuart, the almost queen of England, and Barbara Strozzi’s Apollo scored for soprano, two violins and basso continuo, one of her most substantial pieces - perhaps as close as this great composer came to writing opera.

Claudio Monteverdi - Confitebor tibi Domine (1650)
Isabella Leonarda - Ave suavis dilectio
Giacomo Carissimi - Lamento di Maria Stuarda
Girolamo Frescobaldi - Toccata