York Early Music Festival to take place online this month

The theme for this year's festival is Encounters - such as between audience and artists, felt keenly at a time when real-life encounters continues to be restricted.

Guest artists include violinist Rachel Podger; lutenist Jacob Heringman; bass Matthew Brook working with harpsichordist Peter Seymour; the Monteverdi String Band led by Oliver Webber; harpsichordist Steven Devine with Robin Bigwood; Jacob Heringman: The Society of Strange & Ancient Instruments with the Trumpet Marine Project; baroque specialists Florilegium; and The Gesualdo Six.

The festival's concerts are filmed in some of York's most prized venues, including Merchant Adventurers Hall, St Lawrence Church, and the NCEM’s home, St Margaret’s Church.

The festival will be available to view on demand until 13 August 2021 and tickets are on sale until 6 August.

Delma Tomlin MBE, administrative director of the YEMF said: 'We’re very excited to bring you the second York Early Music Festival Online, the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the National Centre for Early Music’s annual programme, enjoyed by visitors from across the world.

'We’re delighted that many artists will be returning to York to join us for what promises to be a summer celebration of glorious music. We’re also looking forward to welcoming artists who have not performed with us before, to our beautiful city. This has been a difficult year for everyone involved in the arts and entertainment industries and we hope you will support us and make the most of the delights that this year’s online festival has in store.'

The York Early Music Festival was established in 1977 and celebrates York’s medieval churches, guildhalls and historic houses through historically-informed music-making. It is one of three annual festivals run by the National Centre for Early Music.

To book visit http://www.ncem.co.uk/whats-on/online-yemf/ or call 01904 658 338.