Concert Theatre Works, the internationally renowned company bringing new audiences to classical music by combining music with vibrant storytelling, presents the Chicago premiere of its popular touring production Secret Byrd. Secret Byrd invites audiences to step back in time to 16th century England and participate in a clandestine worship service where a group of Catholics gather in secret to maintain their religious practices despite the illegality of their faith. Showcasing William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices sung by The Gesualdo Six – a British ensemble best known for its interpretation of Renaissance polyphony – and accompanied by local viol consorts ViolMedium and Second City Musick, the fully immersive, candlelit experience promises to engage all five senses. Audiences are invited to listen to the music, move through the space, interact with the historically-accurate props, and consume bread and wine during the communion portion of the mass. Secret Byrd will have four Chicago performances only, Sunday, July 20 and Monday, July 21 at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM amidst the Salvage One architectural salvage store, 1840 W Hubbard St. Tickets start at $60 and are on sale now at concerttheatreworks.com.
“With belief intolerance as present in today’s world as it was during Byrd’s lifetime, Byrd’s story and his defiant music are as relevant today as they were 400 years ago,” said Concert Theatre Works Artistic Director Bill Barclay. “Concert Theatre Works was last in Chicago in 2022 for our critically acclaimed production of The Chevalier produced in partnership with Music of the Baroque. We are excited to return to Chicago with our intimate and fully immersive production Secret Byrd at the unique Salvage One event space. More than just a concert, Secret Byrd transports audiences to Renaissance England and invites them to experience the transcendental power of Byrd’s music in the context it was originally written. Lovers of Renaissance polyphony will experience the music in an entirely new way, and audiences who aren’t yet early music fans will be drawn in through the experiential components of the event.”
English Renaissance composer William Byrd risked his career and his life by being an openly practicing Catholic during a period of intense persecution of Catholics by the government supported Anglican Church. He defied the laws of the time and composed music in the Catholic tradition while actively working as a prominent composer for the Queen and the Anglican Church. Bryd’s Mass for Five Voices was written to be sung at one of the private masses celebrated in secret by British Catholic communities during this era of persecution. Debuted in 2023 to mark the 400th anniversary of Byrd’s death, Secret Byrd recreates one of these secret services and has been performed in sold-out shows around the world.
Secret Byrd is 80 minutes without an intermission.
About The Gesualdo Six
The Gesualdo Six is an award-winning British vocal ensemble comprising some of the UK’s finest consort singers, directed by Owain Park. Praised for its imaginative programming and impeccable blend, the group formed in 2014 for a performance of Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories in Cambridge and has gone on to perform at numerous major festivals around the world. The Gesualdo Six are Director Owain Park, Countertenor Guy James, Countertenor Alasdair Austin, Tenor Joseph Wicks, Tenor Josh Cooter, and Baritone Michael Craddock.
Notable highlights include a concert in the distinguished Deutschlandradio Debut Series, performances at renowned venues including Wigmore Hall (London), Miller Theatre (New York), the Sydney Opera House, and their debut at the BBC Proms in 2023. In 2024, The Gesualdo Six made its South American debut in Colombia, and will appear in Japan, China and Singapore for the first time. The ensemble has collaborated with Fretwork, the Brodsky Quartet, and Matilda Lloyd. For more information visit thegesualdosix.co.uk
About Second City Musick
Second City Musick is a consort of viols based in Chicago. Composed of Craig Trompeter, Anna Steinhoff and Russell Wagner, Second City Musick specializes in 16th-18th century music for the viola da gamba consort, bringing this finely crafted chamber music into the lives of modern-day music lovers. Trompeter, Steinhoff and Wagner are leading members of the early music community in Chicago who have founded other ensembles such as the Haymarket Opera Company and Wayward Sisters, and regularly perform with Baroque Band, Callipygian Players, Music of the Baroque, and the Newberry Consort. For more information visit secondcitymusick.com
About Viol Medium
Founded by gambists Eric Miller & Phillip Serna, the viol is the medium through which we bridge contemporary & historically-informed performance with experimental and innovative programming for violas da gamba! For more information visit violmedium.org
About Concert Theatre Works
Concert Theatre Works is an international nonprofit that builds new audiences for classical music by bringing story to the symphony. With over 20 original productions created by its founder and Artistic Director, Bill Barclay, CTW demonstrates the vital relevance of live music in an increasingly digital age. CTW tours to roughly 30 cities per year, collaborating with the world’s finest ensembles at the vanguard of innovation in concert culture. Productions include Secret Byrd, The Chevalier, Peer Gynt, Markus Passion, Apollo Resurrected, and What Music Is. Partners include The Hollywood Bowl, The Kennedy Center, Tanglewood, and The Royal Albert Hall. concerttheatreworks.com