Oxford Byrd Mini-Festival
A series of recitals and services featuring the music of William Byrd and contemporaries
2023 sees the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd (c.1540-1623), one of the finest English composers and musicians of the sixteenth/seventeenth century. To mark Byrd’s genius, this mini-festival sees a set of themed services and recitals across some of the premier musical institutions in Oxford.
All services are free to attend, as well as the two recitals on the Wednesday and Friday.
There is a small fee for the recital on the Monday (6th November) and also for anyone wanting to attend the symposium at Christ Church on the Tuesday (7th November).
Please be aware that each event is independently organised by the institution in which it is held and will function in this context; the usual rules for access/entry for events (especially services) will apply, and accessibility may vary depending on the location.
Highlights include:
Sunday 5th November (6pm) – Evensong, Magdalen College Chapel. Please click here for more information.
Monday 6th November (5pm) - Organ Recital (Steven Grahl), Magdalen College Chapel. Please click here for more information and to book tickets.
Tuesday 7th November (9am) - Byrd 400: A Celebration at Christ Church, Oxford. Please click here for more information and to book tickets.
Tuesday 7th November (6pm) - Evensong, Christ Church Cathedral. Please click here for more information.
Wednesday 8th November (1.10pm) - Organ Recital (Luke Mitchell), Chapel of The Queen’s College. Please click here for more information.
Wednesday 8th November (6.30pm) - Evensong, Chapel of The Queen’s College. please click here for more information.
Thursday 9th November (1.15pm) - Recital by Desmond Hunter, University of Ulster, New College Chapel. Please click here for more information.
Thursday 9th November (6.15pm) - Evensong, Merton College Chapel. Please click here for more information.
Friday 10th November (8.30pm) - Organ & Keyboard Recital (Robert Quinney & Dónal McCann), New College Chapel. Please click here for more information.
Saturday 11th November (5.45pm) - Evensong, New College Chapel. Please click here for more information.
Sunday 12th November (10.30am) - Choral Eucharist, University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Please click here for more information.
Bonus Event!
Saturday 25th November (7.30pm) - Contrapunctus: Byrd - A Song for All Seasons, The Chapel of The Queen’s College. Please click here for more information and to book tickets.
