5th June 2025 2025, 1pm, St. George’s, Bristol
The Portrait Players bring their programme The New Lyre to St. George’s, Bristol, shining a spotlight on the women composers of Italy in the 17th century, exploring their roles in music-making and in society; in the home, the court and the church. Repertoire includes works by Barbara Strozzi, and the Caccini sisters.
14th June 2025, 4pm. st james’ church, louth
The Portrait Players explore English repertoire inspired by Shakespeare and his contemporaries such as Dryden, Jonson and Sucking in their programme Ye Gentle Spirits. Including music by Lawes, Johnson, Eccles and Purcell.
29th june 2025, 3pm. Crediton parish church, devon
In their programme The New Lyre The Portrait Players bring the women composers of Italy in the 17th century to the forefront, exploring their roles in music-making and in society; in the home, the court and the church. Repertoire includes works by Barbara Strozzi, and the Caccini sisters.
https://bonifaceconcerts.co.uk/2025-concerts/the-portrait-players/
12th July 2025, 7.30pm. St. mary’s Church, stapleford
For a summer’s evening of music, The Portrait Players present The New Lyre. Repertoire includes works by Barbara Strozzi, and the Caccini sisters.
Booking essential. Please contact: musicatstmarys@outlook.com or 07963 260715
14th July 2025, 11.15am. St. John’s Church, Buxton Festival
The Portrait Players revisit their programme The New Lyre at Buxton International Music Festival, bringing the women composers of Italy in the 17th century to the forefront, exploring their roles in music-making and in society; in the home, the court and the church. Repertoire includes works by Barbara Strozzi, and the Caccini sisters.
15th September 2025, 7pm. st saviour’s church, brockenhurst
The Portrait Players revisit their programme Ye Gentle Spirits exploring English repertoire inspired by Shakespeare and his contemporaries such as Dryden, Jonson and Sucking. Music by Lawes, Johnson, Eccles and Purcell.
21st october 2025, 7.30pm. The cavendish hall, edensor, chatsworth
Programme details tbc.
past dates
17th May 2025, ye gentle spirits: Songs of madness, myth and magic
The Portrait Players revisited the playwrights of 17th century England at Rochdale Music Society.
22nd april 2025 les femmes illustres + new commission
The Portrait Players delivered their most popular programme, alongside the premiere of Clare Elton’s new piece ‘Lut, companion de ma calamité’ at the Baronial Hall in Manchester.
15th october 2024, le femmes illustres
The Portrait Players headed to the North East to deliver their programme as well as educational workshops at Musicon, Durham
2nd october 2024, ye gentle spiritis: songs of madness, myth and magic
The Portrait Players revisited the playwrights of 17th century England at St. Olave’s Hart Street.
24th september 2024, les femmes illustres
The Portrait Players brought their most popular programme to a real 21st century salon, at Salon Music, Highgate
2nd September 2024: Sooth’d to Pleasures
The Portrait Players debuted a new programme focussed on Handel’s favourite players and singers at Handel Hendrix House
23rd May 2024: les femmes illustres
The Portrait Players played just the fourth concert at New College, Oxford in their new concert hall The New Space.
7th May 2024: notes from the silence
The Portrait Players performed at Surrey Hills International Music Festival. Writer and historian Anna Beer took us on a journey through the splendour of 17th century Italy for this fascinating look at women who dared who write music in a man’s world, with music by Francesca Caccini and Barbara Strozzi.
23rd April 2024: Ye gentle Spirits: songs of madness, myth, and magic
The Portrait Players celebrated Shakespeare’s birthday at Amersham Festival. A programme inspired by Shakespeare and his contemporaries such as Dryden, Jonson and Sucking. Including music by Lawes, Johnson, Eccles and Purcell.
12th March 2024: A madness most discreet
The Portrait Players travelled to Northumbria University to explore veiled expressions of love in 17th century Paris, London and Rome. Music by Le Camus, d’Ambruis, Handel, and Purcell.
22nd February 2024: A madness most discreet
The Portrait Players explored veiled expressions of love in the salons of 17th century Paris, London and Rome in the beautiful venue of 22 Mansfield Street, London. Music by Le Camus, d’Ambruis, Handel, and Purcell.
25th November 2024: Charms and Torments of Love
The Portrait Players, collaborating with tenor Xavier Hetherington and Opera Prelude, showcased baroque delights to the audience at Christchurch Henley, including Handel’s rarely performed French and Spanish Cantatas.
24th November 2024: A madness most discreet
The Portrait Players joined The Workshop Series, Lewes, exploring veiled expressions of love in 17th century Paris, London and Rome. Music by Le Camus, d’Ambruis, Handel, and Purcell.
3rd November 2024: Les femmes illustres
The Portrait Players, collaborating with City Music Foundation, were delighted to perform at St. Martin-in-the-fields, showcasing the bold and brilliant female creatives of 17th century Parisian literary salons and London stages. Music by Le Camus, Campion, d’Ambruis and Purcell.
24th October 2023: Les femmes illustres
The Portrait Players, were performed an intimate performance at St. Pancras Clock Tower, showcasing the bold and brilliant female creatives of 17th century Parisian literary salons and London stages. Music by Le Camus, Campion, d’Ambruis and Purcell.
21st October 2023: a madness most discreet
The Portrait Players, at Brighton Early Music Festival performed two short programmes as part of the BREMF Live! Scheme for Emerging Ensembles at St. George’s Church and The Rose Hill Tavern.
30th May 2023: a madness most discreet
The Portrait Players explored veiled expressions of love in Paris, Rome and London at Milton Court, Guildhall.
7th February 2023: Charms and torments of love
The Portrait Players, collaborating with tenor Xavier Hetherington and Opera Prelude, showcased baroque delights to the audience at Christchurch Chelsea, including Handel’s rarely performed French and Spanish Cantatas.
4th February 2023: handel’s europe
The Portrait Players brought their debut programme exploring Handel’s Nine German Arias, French and Spanish Cantatas, to University College, Oxford. They were joined by violinist Alice Poppleton.
25th January 2023: handel’s europe
The Portrait Players brought their debut programme, exploring Handel’s Nine German Arias, French and Spanish Cantatas, to St. George’s Westcombe Park. They were joined by violinist Alice Poppleton.
18th January 2023: handel’s europe
The Portrait Players, collaborating with City Music Foundation brought their debut programme, exploring Handel’s Nine German Arias, French and Spanish Cantatas, to Barts’ Great Hall in the City of London. They were joined by violinist Maxim del Mar.
The Portrait Players 