Shakespeare in Music
Shakespeare in Music features music from the age of Shakespeare and by composers inspired by his songs, sonnets and plays.
When
🌱Spring festival
Mon, 20 April 2026 — Thu, 23 April 2026
About
Following the success of its inaugural edition, Shakespeare in Music returns in 2026 for another four days of music, culminating in a celebration of the Bard’s birthday on 23 April. The festival programme showcases not only music from the Elizabethan era but also works by composers inspired by Shakespeare through the centuries.
The original music is late Renaissance and early Baroque, and his legacy blooms in the Romantic and more modern periods.
This year's Festival runs from 20 to 23 April. With close to 50 artists taking part, performances range from opera to play-reading, from harp to organ, and through solo, duet and ensemble singing from a repertoire that stretches from the Renaissance to rap. Plus, there are four illustrated talks on related musical subjects that instruct as well as entertain.
The 2026 Festival also includes the presentation of the Fischer Foundation Prize for the best Shakespeare Song composed in 2025.
Events
Shakespeare Songs, Ancient and Modern
- Mon, 20 April 2026
United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
10:00am
ÂŁ20 (conc. available)
Shakespeare in Music
The Sweet Power of Music
- Mon, 20 April 2026
- United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 12:30pm
- ÂŁ15 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Elizabethan and Jacobean Madrigals
- Mon, 20 April 2026
- United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 3:00pm
- ÂŁ20 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Two Dark Ladies of the Sonnets
- Mon, 20 April 2026
- Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 7:30pm
- ÂŁ25 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Songs from Shakespeare
William Drakett
- Tue, 21 April 2026
- United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 10:00am
- ÂŁ20 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Shakespeare's Drinking Songs
Jennifer Waghorn
- Tue, 21 April 2026
- United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 12:30pm
- ÂŁ15 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Shakespearean Music for 'Broken Consort'
Bloomsbury Baroque
- Tue, 21 April 2026
- United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 3:00pm
- ÂŁ20 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Shakespeare & Shearing
Stratford Chamber Choir
- Tue, 21 April 2026
- Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 7:30pm
- ÂŁ25 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Songs for countertenor
Benjamin Irvine-Capel
- Wed, 22 April 2026
- United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 10:00am
- ÂŁ20 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Composers, Actors, Orchestras
Michael Dobson
- Wed, 22 April 2026
- United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 12:30pm
- ÂŁ15 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
All Fancy Sick I am for Love
Bloomsbury Baroque
- Wed, 22 April 2026
- United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 3:00pm
- ÂŁ20 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Love, Fate and Fire
Rose Opera
- Wed, 22 April 2026
- Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 7:30pm
- ÂŁ25 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Facets of Time
Dowland's Foundry
- Thu, 23 April 2026
- The Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 10:00am
- ÂŁ20 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
Shakespeare & Rap
Devon Glover
- Thu, 23 April 2026
- The Guild Chapel, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 12:30pm
- ÂŁ15 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
A Celebration of Shakespeare's Birthday in Song
Nigel Foster
- Thu, 23 April 2026
- United Reformed Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 3:00pm
- ÂŁ20 (conc. available)
- Shakespeare in Music
The Annual Shakespeare Organ Recital
Rachel Mahon
- Thu, 23 April 2026
- Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon
- 7:30pm
- ÂŁ15
- Shakespeare in Music
Location
Stratford-upon-Avon
Share this
