Baroque Around the Books returns for a third tour this December – continuing its aim to bring free and accessible Early Music performances to the communities of York.
Following two highly successful tours in 2024, comes another unique opportunity to celebrate and discover early music with two talented young performers.
This year the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM) and Explore York are pleased to welcome award winning tenor Daniel Thomson and Sam Brown, “the Eric Clapton of the lute”, to present Facets of Time, a dramatic performance based around Elizabethan England’s most iconic artists, William Shakespeare and John Dowland.
Daniel and Sam will be staying in York for a short residency and musical tour of some of the city’s libraries following their appearance in the York Early Music Christmas Festival.
Sam and Daniel are touring to the following community libraries:
- Tang Hall Explore, (Monday 8 December, 11am)
- Clifton Explore, (Monday 8 December, 2pm)
- Haxby & Wigginton Library (Tuesday 9 December, 11am)
- York Explore (Tuesday 9 December, 2pm)
Tickets are free for these informal concerts thanks to an initiative by the NCEM working in association with Explore York supported by the Mayfield Valley Arts Trust and funds raised in the 2025 Christmas Big Give Campaign.
Delma Tomlin MBE, director of the NCEM said:“It’s wonderful to be working with our partner Explore York Libraries & Archives once again.
“Sam and Daniel have developed a sincere love and understanding of lute song that we look forward to sharing with new audiences from York communities.”
Jenny Layfield, chief executive of Explore said: “This partnership with NCEM is truly inspiring. There’s something wonderful about bringing such talented musicians into library spaces, offering our communities the chance to stumble upon a high-quality experience. I had the pleasure of attending one of the sessions organised by NCEM last year, and I absolutely loved it.
“If you have the opportunity to attend a performance at one of our Explore Centres this December, I wholeheartedly recommend it!”
Find out more about Baroque Around the Books at the NCEM website here.
