Baroque around the Books free concerts in York

Musical duo Intesa embark on a mini tour of community libraries following their appearance at the York Early Music Christmas Festival.

A National Centre for Early Music Cultural Wellbeing Initiative, Baroque around the Books, (16 & 17 December), a partnership between the National Centre for Early Music and Explore York Libraries and Archives, is a mini tour of four Explore  libraries.

Suitable for all, the new initiative, began early this year and this December the NCEM and Explore are pleased to welcome young duo Intesa, who will be staying in York for a short residency and musical tour of some of the city’s libraries following their appearance in the York Early Music Christmas Festival. 

Intesa are European musicians Lucine Musaelian and Nathan Giorgetti, who met at the Royal Academy of Music and formed their musical partnership in 2023. Intesa is an Italian word meaning understanding, or a meeting of minds.  The duo shares a passion for the sound of the viol and its combination with the voice.

The workshops will provide the communities of York with a unique opportunity to celebrate and discover Early Music with these two talented young performers.

The National Centre for Early Music is dedicated to promoting the extraordinary array of talent from Europe’s vibrant Early Music scene and Baroque around the Books reinforces the National Centre for Early Music’s ongoing commitment to support, encourage and nurture the skills of emerging artists in the UK and beyond.

Intesa are touring to the following community libraries:

• Tang Hall Explore, (Monday 16 December, 12 noon)
• York Explore, (Monday 16 December, 2.30pm)
• Acomb Explore (Tuesday 17 December, 11am)
• Clifton Explore (Tuesday 17 December, 1.30pm)

Tickets are free for these informal concerts thanks to an initiative by the NCEM working in association with Explore York supported by the Mayfield Valley Arts Trust. 

 Delma Tomlin MBE, Director of the NCEM said:

“Intesa are one of three ensembles from Europe performing at this year’s York Early Music Christmas Festival, and it’s a pleasure to welcome them to York for this brilliant tour. Baroque around the Books concerts are free of charge and it’s wonderful to be working with our partner York Explore once again. We look forward to sharing the wonderful world of Early Music with new audiences from York communities.”

Jenny Layfield, Chief Executive of Explore said:

"This partnership with the NCEM is truly inspiring. There's something wonderful about bringing such talented musicians into library spaces, offering our communities the chance to stumble upon a high-quality experience. I had the pleasure of attending one of the sessions organised by NCEM earlier this year and I absolutely loved it. If you have the opportunity to attend a performance at one of our Explore Centres this December, I wholeheartedly recommend it!"