Baroque+ Day: University Baroque Ensemble & Ensemble Hesperi

Event details

Welcome to the Devil's Tavern

Travel back in time to London's 'Devil's Tavern' in eighteenth-century Fleet Street. Here, in 1731, composer Maurice Greene established the Apollo Academy, a rival to Handel's Academy of Ancient Music. The Wednesday evening concerts of the Academy took place in the tavern's Great Room and were filled with a variety of performances by Greene's friends and students, with the maestro himself at the harpsichord. As a semi-private performance venue, it was an ideal location for composers to trial new works ahead of their first public performances. Although the club was exclusive, invited guests were welcome – York-born composer John Hebden, now resident at the Drury Lane theatre, regularly delighted the tavern's audience with a bassoon or cello concerto. Our programme will recreate a relaxed evening with Greene and his circle, featuring instrumental and vocal music by Greene, Bononcini, Festing, Hebden, Handel and more!  

If you would like to discuss any access requirements with us, please contact the Box Office. Information about our companion card scheme, group bookings and free tickets for under-16s can be found on our website.