Historical music festival inspired by 1700s concerts

Salisbury is hosting a unique music festival that takes inspiration from concerts held 250 years ago. This event, called Salisbury Musick, was put together by local musicians who are passionate about early music and wanted to revive the city's rich musical history. They discovered that Salisbury used to have annual music festivals in the 1700s, which were as impressive as those in Bath and London. In fact, the famous composer Johann Christian Bach once performed in Salisbury. The festival will feature instruments that were commonly used in past centuries, such as harpsichords, lutes, and a natural horn. These instruments are rarely seen today, so the festival offers a rare chance to hear music as it sounded hundreds of years ago. The concerts will be held in historic venues like Salisbury's medieval hall and St Thomas's Church, adding to the atmosphere of the event.

Nigel Wyatt, one of the festival organizers, explained that after they set the dates for the new festival, they realized it was almost exactly 250 years since the original festival took place in Salisbury in 1775. He said this coincidence made the event feel even more special, as if it was meant to happen. The festival will include candlelit concerts in the medieval hall, performances of early songs with a sense of courtly elegance, and lively 17th-century dance music. The grand finale will feature professional musicians and singers coming together for a memorable performance. Singing will be a big part of the festival, with groups like the Farrant Singers participating. This choir, dressed in black with red scarves, will bring their love of music to the stage and help create a magical experience for the audience.

The organizers wanted to make sure the festival was enjoyable for everyone, including children. There will be 'tots concerts' at Salisbury Museum on Sunday, designed especially for young kids to experience early music. Miranda Dodd, another organizer, said she loves early music and is excited to share it with a wider audience. She believes it is important to inspire the next generation, which is why young performers have been invited to join two of the concerts. The festival will also take place in other historic churches and chapels in nearby villages, such as Barford St Martin and the Fovant Free Chapel. By bringing music from the past to life, the festival aims to connect people with Salisbury's history and encourage everyone to appreciate the beauty of early music.