London International Festival of Early Music returns to the capital in November

London International Festival of Early Music (LIFEM) is set to return to the capital later this year for its 50^th edition. Bringing together artists and early music audiences from across the globe, the festival will present a series of performances and workshops as well as an exhibition of instruments from 8 to 11 November in Blackheath in southeast London.

The 2023 edition will kick off on 8 November with a performance from last year's LIFEM Young Ensemble Competition winners Ensemble Pampinea, before this year’s festival gala concert, held the following day presents the world premiere of specially commissioned work by Roxanna Panufnik. Performed by harpsichordist Jane Chapman (pictured above), the piece is inspired by an arrangement of John Dowland's 'Pavana Lachrymae' by William Byrd, whose 400^th anniversary is celebrated this year.

This year’s competition will also feature the return of the world’s largest early music fair, bringing together instrument makers worldwide to display early music instruments like crumhorns, shawms, rackets lutes, viols, fiddles and sackbuts, alongside other exhibitors including music publishers, recording companies, societies and forums.

LIFEM 2023 will also present performances from British organist William Whitehead and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment Experience Ensemble - a year-long scheme offering music students and graduates the opportunity to perform alongside OAE musicians. All concerts will be made available after the festival via Marquee TV.

The biennial The Society of Recorder Players/Moeck Solo Reorder Competition will also feature in this year’s festival. Three finalists will perform for a panel of judges including recorder player and flautist Annabel Knight, violinist and conductor Adrian Chandler and Dutch recordist Erik Bosgraaf who will close the festival on 11 November alongside Poland’s Wrocław Baroque Orchestra.