Enjoy an exclusive, private concert series with Florilegium in the historical surroundings of Rhinefield House
Explore the early song of France, Germany, Italy and England with acclaimed soprano Rowan Pierce – from Bach and Rameau to Monteverdi and Purcell – complemented by interactive talks and a dance demonstration
Discover the Rhinefield’s historical legacy alongside its ancient and peaceful New Forest setting
“An excellent balance between concerts, talks and visits. The setting and the visits complemented the historical period of the music and enhanced my appreciation of it”
ACE customer on a previous country house festival tour led by Ashley Solomon and Florilegium
Musical Highlights
Florilegium – one of the world’s leading early music ensembles – will provide the music in partnership with prize-winning soprano Rowan Pierce.
The most captivating journeys are those that bring together a sense of place, story and atmosphere. Embraced by the ancient surroundings of the New Forest National Park – once the hunting forest of William the Conqueror – our new festival tour leads us back in time to the music of the 17th and 18th centuries. The songs of Europe’s most beloved early composers, interspersed with time for quiet reflection amongst the sounds of nature, will make for a uniquely illuminating and revitalising combination.
Our venue is the romantic, historical Rhinefield House. Surrounded by beautiful grounds and beguiling forest trails, the hotel will be our exclusive haven for a four-day musical experience providing all the flavours of early classical song from across Europe.
“In the space of four days we will be presenting music from the palaces in Versailles and Sans Souci in Potsdam to the churches of Italy and the Vauxhall Gardens in London”
– Tour Director Ashley Solomon
Florilegium – one of the world’s leading early music ensembles – will provide the music in partnership with prize-winning soprano Rowan Pierce. The musical programme has been devised by Florilegium’s director, flautist Ashley Solomon, Chair and Head of Historical Performance at the Royal College of Music. Across four signature concerts, we will enjoy a musical odyssey celebrating the early vocal masterpieces of France, Italy, Germany and England. Together, these songs will provide delightful glimpses of a time gone by, as well as help us to chart the evolution of the human voice within the classical music of different parts of Europe.
“Pierce’s voice is delicious: clear, strong, supple, with sparkling top notes and a warm, textured middle and low register…”
– BBC Music Magazine
There could be no better artist to introduce us to these works than the multi-award-winning young Yorkshire-born soprano Rowan Pierce. A former Britten Pears young artist and Rising Star of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Rowan will lead us through each country on our European ‘tour’, performing songs by Bach and Telemann, through Rameau and Montéclair, to Vivaldi, Correlli and Purcell.
Complementing the concerts, Ashley Solomon will give a series of talks introducing Baroque music, exploring the selected compositions and discussing aspects of historical performance. We particularly look forward to a ‘show and tell’ session introducing historical instruments and their nuances in more detail. A dance demonstration will provide another dimension to our understanding of the period, further immersing us in the artistic forms and entertainment of the Baroque world.
This festival tour has been designed as a culturally enriching yet also relaxing experience. As such, we have programmed periods of free time during which participants will have the option to take part in gentle forest walks from the hotel or historical tours of the Rheinfield's building and grounds, or spend time exploring and reflecting independently.
Tea and Song
Wrapping up our tour in style, we return to England for a final coffee concert celebrating the music of Purcell, John Blow and John Eccles – including the 17th century English mad songs, a distinct genre weaving together music, drama and poetry to convey intense emotion and expression. This is followed by that most quintessential of English dining experiences: the cream tea.
We will enjoy exclusive use of the luxurious, 19th century Gothic-Tudor Rhinefield House Hotel in the heart of the New Forest National Park. Built on the site of a former keeper’s lodge, the Rhinefield is awash with architectural and historical character – including its magnificent grand hall – while also offering stunning grounds to explore and easy access to autumnal forest trails. All lunches and dinners will be taken in the hotel’s award-winning restaurant, which serves seasonal menus in elegant surroundings.
Musicians
Florilegium
“Fine, incisive playing, honest and heartfelt. Crisp, imaginative and individual playing”
– The Independent
Co-founded by Ashley Solomon in 1991, regular performances in some of the world’s most prestigious venues have confirmed Florilegium’s status as one of Britain’s most outstanding period instrument ensembles. From the Wigmore Hall to the Sydney Opera House, the ensemble are renowned for their stylish and exciting interpretations of Baroque chamber music. Florilegium’s award-winning recordings include the complete Bach Brandenburg Concertos and their Bach Cantatas disc with Johannette Zomer.
For this tour, Ashley will be joined by Florilegium members Magda Loth-Hill (violin), Reiko Ichise (viola da gamba) and Steven Devine (harpsichord).
Rowan Pierce
“Rowan Pierce who is a fast-rising young star in the opera houses of Europe was a delight in both singing and acting”
– Edinburgh Music Review
In demand on the opera stage and concert platform, Rowan Pierce has been a Britten Pears Young Artist, Samling Artist, a Rising Star of the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and a Harewood Artist at English National Opera. Rowan made her BBC Proms debut at the Royal Albert Hall in 2017 with the OAE and returned in 2019 for Handel’s Jephtha and 2023 for Mendelssohn’s Elijah, both with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Nominated for the Sky Arts Times Breakthrough Award in 2020, Rowan made her Glyndebourne Festival debut as Oberto in Alcina in 2022 and sang the same role for the Staatstheater Stuttgart in the same year. In 2022/23 she made her Royal Opera House debut singing Papagena and in 2024 played the role of Dede in Oliver Mears’ new production of Leonard Bernstein’s opera A Quiet Place at the Linbury Theatre, ROH.
Ashley Solomon
This tour will be led by flautist and recorder player Professor Ashley Solomon, Director of early music ensemble Florilegium.
“We hope you will join Florilegium and soprano Rowan Pierce for what will be a unique exploration of Baroque instrumental and vocal music across Europe. In the space of four days we will be presenting music from the palaces in Versailles and Sans Souci in Potsdam to the churches of Italy and the Vauxhall Gardens in London. It promises to be a feast of splendid Baroque music to suit all tastes.”
– Tour Director Ashley Solomon
4
£1995
MUNF-26
Two places remaining.
Please contact the office on 01223 841055 to enquire.
Included: accommodation based on sharing a superior twin or double bedded room, performances as described, three breakfasts, two lunches with water & coffee, three dinners with wine, water & coffee, gratuities & all taxes.
Not Included: travel insurance, classic double room for single use supplement £275. Other room & suite upgrades available on request.
