2023 Silbiger Grant Performance

The New Haven-based Elm City Consort will collaborate with the vocal ensemble, The New Consort, in a program of sacred and devotional music by William Byrd called To Ornament Things Divine, celebrating the composer in the 400^th year since his death. This project is the recipient of the 2023-2024 Silbiger Grant from the VdGS-NE. The upcoming concert is built around the Mass for Three Voices (ca 1592) with additional works in English and Latin from all of Byrd’s major collections as well as pieces for viol consort.

To Ornament Things Divine:
Celebrating William Byrd’s sacred and devotional music 

“Nor has it been in any way granted to me to satisfy my task, save only that I have tried to ornament things divine with the highest art at my command…” —William Byrd in the dedication of his Gradualia (ca 1605) to Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton

The Elm City Consort, a project-based instrumental ensemble directed by Michael Rigsby, has delighted New Haven audiences with wide-ranging programs of early music for over 15 years. The New Consort is a vocal chamber ensemble dedicated to exploring the roles that musical ritual and community can play in 21st-century lives. Founded by baritone & Artistic Director Brian Mummert, The New Consort are winners of the American Prize in Chamber Music and devoted interpreters of Tudor polyphony.

Both concerts are free. Elm City Consort is grateful for donations of any amount. A video recording of the performance will be available to members of the VdGS-NE later in September.

Performers from the Elm City Consort will be viol players Rosamund Morley, Michael Rigsby, Cat Slowik and Joshua Keller. They will be joined by countertenor Clifton Massey, tenor Daniel McGrew and baritone Brian Mummert from The New Consort.

For more information, contact:

Michael Rigsby, executive director

The Elm City Consort

elmcityconsort@gmail.com