Otley Baroque, the concert series established by international violinist Asuka Sumi, has been bringing outstanding Baroque chamber music to local communities since 2018.

Following the success of its Winter Festival in January, Otley Baroque returns this July with another musical weekend, welcoming two multinational ensembles from Amsterdam and inviting early music enthusiasts and local audiences alike into the mesmerising world of voices and viols.

The viol (viola da gamba) is a family of bowed string instruments that was popular throughout the 16th to 18th centuries, particularly in private households and royal courts in England. Renowned for its expressive qualities, the instrument has often been described as the closest in sound to the human voice, capable of conveying emotions ranging from profound grief to exuberant joy.

On Saturday 18 July, The Lyra-Way, a duo of soprano and viol, presents Affection Beyond Borders, a programme exploring the rich emotional landscape of Baroque Europe through music and poetry. The concert takes place in the intimate surroundings of Sancta Bookshop Cafe, with tickets including a complimentary drink from the café menu. Due to popular demand following a previous sold-out performance, the one-hour programme will be presented twice, at 3.00 pm and 5.00 pm.

On Sunday 19 July, Cantus Quintus, a distinctive ensemble of voice and viols, presents What is Our Life?, an evening of English madrigals and consort music by composers including John Dowland, Orlando Gibbons, John Jenkins and Henry Purcell. The performance will be held at Otley Parish Church, whose fine acoustics provide an ideal setting for this repertoire.

Tickets are now available online. Paper tickets can also be purchased from Sancta Bookshop Cafe in Otley and The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley.

For enquiries, please contact: [email protected]

Further information about Otley Baroque and event details can be found at http://www.otleybaroque.com