The 2019 William Byrd Festival begins with an intimate chamber concert that will explore the music sung at home and on the street in Byrd’s day. In our program “Psalmes, Sonets and Songs,” the eight solo singers of the Festival Consort will perform popular ballads of the English Renaissance and works by Byrd that were inspired by them. Highlights include the lively “Though Amaryllis dance in green” (an audience favorite during past festivals) and songs sung by characters in Shakespeare’s plays. Our director and narrator will be special guest Dr. Ross Duffin, early music maven, popular NPR host for nearly two decades, and author of the highly acclaimed book “How Equal Temperament Ruined Harmony (And Why You Should Care)”. http://www.byrdfestival.org/