Lute Songs at Rycote Park

When Nicholas Lanier - painter, composer, singer, and lutenist, was sent to Italy by Charles I to oversee the purchase of artworks from the Duke of Mantua he returned not only with paintings for the King, but also a mind filled with a multitude of fashionable Italian musical trends. Self-accompanying on the theorbo, as Lanier would have, Kristiina Watt mingles instrumental works by the most prominent theorbo virtuosos of 17th Italy with Lanier’s songs, most notably the first recitative aria in English - ‘Hero & Leander’.

This special event is a chance to visit the beautiful 15th-century Chapel at Rycote Park. Tea and coffee will be served in the Barn on arrival, before moving to the Chapel where Sarah Taylor will give an introduction to Rycote. We then enjoy a short recital of songs and solo instrumental pieces performed by lutenist and soprano Kristiina Watt, including works by Nicholas Lanier which the composer played and sang for King Charles