Like as the Lute Delights, Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond

THERE could be no more perfect setting for this evening of English lute songs from the Golden Age than the Georgian Theatre in Richmond.

Much of the music was written before the theatre was built in 1788, but the atmosphere, acoustics and the instruments blended perfectly.

Susanna Pell (viol) and Jacob Heringman (lute) perform as Pellingman’s Saraband and have been at the forefront of the early music movement for some time. They don’t come much better than this and we are lucky to have them performing regularly in the area.

The promise of the duo combined with the wonderful voice of Emma Kirkby brought excitement to a packed house. She awarded a DBE in 2007 and more recently the Queen's Medal for Music.

Several of the early composers featured, including Dowland, Danyel and Campion. One of the highlights was an incredible version of Greensleeves which soared through the auditorium, lifted the soul, and then was followed by a superb Fantasia.

The evening was full of mood changes, from the joyous to the melancholic. People of the Renaissance period appear to have done a good line in melancholy, but also seem to have turned it into something beautiful. This was clearly portrayed.

So, so, leave off this last lamenting kiss, written by Ferrabosco II, was a perfect example.

The evening was beautiful, note perfect, and if you closed your eyes and let your imagination soar, there was a little bit of Wolf Hall, The Hobbit and the magic of Harry Potter sneaking in there, too, the soundtracks of which this pair can also be heard on.

Amanda Adams