About

In 2018, a group of local early music practitioners, working on a voluntary and non-profit basis, began to plan an Early Music Festival weekend in Bristol, to encourage existing local early music practitioners, to explore the vast repertoire of glorious music from Medieval to early Baroque, and to give modern audiences the opportunity to hear it in performance. The Festival, in May 2019, was a resounding success, the enthusiasm of our audiences and workshop participants far exceeding our expectations.

​

The Festival is now registered as a Charity and we hope that it will become a regular feature of Bristol's cultural life. We value our connection with the University of Bristol Music Department and would love to see more students and young people participating in the Festival.

​

The coronavirus pandemic forced us to cancel the 2020 Festival and to replace the 2021 Festival by a series of online events. But thanks to the commitment of our performers and workshop leaders, we were able to present in 2022 the programme planned for 2021, and it was enthusiastically received.

​

In 2023 we offered just one event: a one-day Festival Workshop on Charpentier's magnificent mass for four choirs and four instrumental ensembles, directed by Robert Hollingworth. This was perhaps the most exciting single event that the Festival has presented so far. 

​

We would like to record our gratitude to All Saints for the use of their premises and facilities for the Festival weekends, and the continuing support they are giving us.

​

We are delighted to be featured on the new Festivals Page of Continuo Connect, the go-to guide for early music - do pop over to their website to see what's on offer and book tickets. Continuo Connect offers a selection of the best early music events across the UK, including ours. There are also profiles of professional early music ensembles and behind-the-scenes articles and interviews from the extraordinary musicians who make the early music scene so vibrant. Do have a look and sign up for the monthly newsletter to be kept informed of concerts near you and the latest features.