Early English Popular Music with Period Instruments

The Lutes is a unique one-of-a-kind live music ensemble. With a riot of period instruments, lusty voices, and all the vitality of an early street or theatre band, The Lutes Quartet performs popular English songs, ballads, and dance music from the Tudor period to the early 19th century.

Audio Recordings

From Street cries, theatre songs, bawdy broadside ballads, early Music Hall, Coffee House catches, courtly dances, and the foot-stomping rhythms of a village dance band, The Lutes is sure to deliver a one of a kind performance.

The ensemble has performed at numerous venues, including; in concert halls, festivals, historic houses, corporate functions, and cultural events throughout the world; tours to the Middle and the Far East organised by the British Council; universities in the USA, major London venues including Queen Elizabeth Hall; collaborations with Shakespeare’s Globe, Regents Park Open Air Theatre, RSC; Royal National Theatre; TV, radio and film soundtracks.

The Lutes Quartet is also available for theme parties, complete with historical costumes, upon request.

Available instruments includes:

• lute
• fiddle
• cittern
• bagpipes
• hurdygurdy
• curtal
• recorders
• crumhorn
• rebecs
• guitar
• drums
• bassoon
• shawm
• harp
• viola
• flutes
• voices

MFL191