THE WISHING TREE Join The Gesualdo Six for a compelling vocal performance featuring a selection of vocal consort pieces. Enjoy Renaissance works by Cornysh and Byrd that celebrate nature and love, along with melodies by Ferrabosco and Gibbons. Hear contemporary composers bring to life verses by Christina Rossetti and Kathleen Jamie. Experience fresh takes on traditional folk songs from the British Isles that beautifully tie the program together. “The Gesualdo Six are outstanding, shifting impeccably from renaissance polyphony to twenty-first century music.” PROGRAM: The Wishing Tree: This sweet and merry month of May – William Byrd (c. 1539 – 1623) Put out into the deep – David Bednall (b. 1979) The Wishing Tree – Joby Talbot (b. 1971) Bushes and Briars arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872 – 1958) The Wind’s Warning – Alison Willis (b. 1971) Ah Robyn, gentil Robyn – William Cornysh (1465 – 1523) So, so, leave off this last lamenting kiss – Alfonso Ferrabosco (1543 – 1588) Il bianco e dolce cigno – Jacques Arcadelt (1507 – 1568) The Silver Swan – Orlando Gibbons (1583 -1625) The Lark in the clear air – arr. James Whitbourn (1963 – 2024) Intermission The Oak and the Ash – arr. Gordon Langford (1930 – 2017) Nonsense Madrigals – György Ligeti (1923 -2006) i. Two Dreams and Little Bat ii. Cuckoo in the Pear-Tree iii. The Alphabet Fantasia on English Children’s Songs – Owain Park (b. 1993) Summer Shower – Christen Holmes (b. 2000) My heart is like a singing bird – Sarah Rimkus (b. 1990) grandmother moon – Eleanor Daley (b. 1955)