UNIVERSITY of York early music academic Robert Hollingworth, director of the I Fagiolini vocal ensemble, will hold a question-and-answer session after Monday's screening of Draw On Sweet Night at City Screen, York.
Tony Britten's film is the fourth to feature I Fagiolini's voices, this time in the biographical story of John Wilbye, the greatest of the Elizabethan madrigalists, who spent his entire working life in the service of Sir Thomas and Lady Elizabeth Kytson at Hengrave Hall in Suffolk.
This practice was not unusual; composers in the 16th century either worked for the Church or one of the great households. What is unusual, however, is how Wilbye appears not to have composed anything else after his second book of madrigals in 1609, and yet Lady Elizabeth kept him on in the house until her death in 1628, showering him with gifts, most notably the tenancy of the most prosperous sheep farm in the area.
I Fagiolini. Picture: Eric Richmond
So why, when Elizabeth died, did Wilbye throw all this up to spend the rest of his days with her daughter, the divorcee Lady Mary Darcy in Colchester? Why did he dedicate his second book of madrigals to the beautiful and notorious Lady Arbella Stewart?
The answer will be revealed in Britten's sumptuously photographed film drama, made in collaboration with I Fagiolini, with a cast led by newcomer Mark Arends as John Wilbye, supported by Doon Mackichan, Sophia Di Martino, Christian McKay and Nicky Henson.
Robert Hollingworth says: "John Wilbye's music is ravishing, touching, and heartfelt. He was unquestionably one of the greatest composers of the time yet he seems to have been happy to stay away from the usual London musical haunts and so documentary evidence about him leaves intriguing gaps.
"What we do know is his music, which is hugely satisfying to sing and often performed in concert today, especially by my own ensemble, I Fagiolini who have had a bit of a love affair with it for years."
I Fagiolini director Robert Hollingworth
Hollingworth formed I Fagiolini in 1986 while still a student at Oxford University, and has since explored the crossover of Renaissance ensemble music with theatre, dance and film in many ground-breaking projects.
He has written for BBC Radio 3 and now teaches in the University of York music department, while I Fagiolini are regular participants in such events as the York Early Music Festival, York Early Music Christmas Festival and Beverley and East Riding Early Music Festival.
Tickets for Monday's 6pm screening of Draw On Sweet Night (12A) are on sale on 0871 902 5726 or at picturehouses.co.uk/cinema/York_Picturehouse/
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