The Song Company: Songs From A Strange Land

Transport yourself to the sounds of Queen Elizabeth I's court and listen to the serene music of legendary composer William Byrd. Australia's national vocal ensemble, The Song Company will take you on a journey of 400 years of a cappella music.

In the 400th anniversary year of the death of renowned English Renaissance composer William Byrd, The Song Company celebrates Byrd's own music and his legacy that continues to influence contemporary composers such as David Lang, Jeremy Cull, and Pelle Gudmunsen-Holmgreen. These composers have taken inspiration from Byrd's unique style and expanded upon it, creating contemporary pieces that are deeply rooted in the tradition of a cappella music.

Today, Byrd's music is celebrated for its rich harmonies, intricate polyphonic textures, and innovative musical ideas that continue to captivate audiences around the world. Noted early-music specialist Christopher Watson makes his conducting debut with The Song Company in this program of sublime beauty.