If eternity had a season, it would be midsummer. Autumn, winter, spring are all change and passage, but at the height of summer the year stands poised. It's only a passing moment, but even as it passes the heart knows it cannot change. Ursula K. Le Guin
The word midsummer comes from the Old English midsumor, and refers to the time around the summer solstice. In 2024, this will occur on Thursday 20 June at 21:51 BST. At this exact moment, the hemisphere is most tilted towards the sun.
With roots in pagan times, Midsummer Day is a celebration of life and love dating back to ancient rituals honouring the sun and the bounty of nature. From Scandinavia to England, midsummer traditions vary widely. Think maypole dancing, floral crowns, and hearty feasts - and add lots of music! After all, music ‘is nature’s voice’ (you will find Purcell’s ode on our midsummer playlist).
So, why not get into the Midsummer spirit and head to a fabulous festival or summer concert series. We’ve put together a few suggestions for June, and there is plenty more to inspire you on our dedicated Festivals directory.
English Haydn Festival 12 - 15 June
The festival is based at St Mary Magdalene Church, with its wonderful acoustics, in the beautiful hill-top market town of Bridgnorth, a magnificent setting overlooking the River Severn.
Join the English Haydn Orchestra, conducted by Steven Devine, for their Grand Opening Symphony Concert on 12 June, featuring two Haydn symphonies, and excerpts from two of his operas, Orlando Paladino and Armida.
Stour Music 21 - 30 June
Stour Music has established its reputation for the high quality of music performed by artists from all over the world, and for their warm welcome (the tea and cakes are as famous as the dinner served in the marquee on the adjacent field). Ten concerts, both early evening and late night candlelit events, take place over two weekends in the 12th-century Pilgrim church in the rural village of Boughton Aluph.
For a more raucous midsummer celebration we recommend a double bill on 29 June - Purcell's Playground with soprano Mary Bevan and the ensemble Barokksolistene, followed by their Alehouse Session later that same night.
… It’s hard to put into words this magical hour: Purcell, as if you catch him at the moment of composition, musing, playing in his mind. Watching a possessed Mary Bevan in one of the mad songs, with instruments playing by heart and somehow attached to her every phrase, is something I’ll hold onto for the rest of my life.
- Artistic director Robert Hollingsworth
Stoke Newington Festival 19 June - 5 July
The festival brings some of the finest early music performers to this historic area of London, making the most of its churches and other historic venues.
We recommend Pleasures of Youth, with Trio Notturno on 19 June. Jamie Akers (guitar), Eva Caballero (flute), and Rachel Stott (viola) present Serenades from early 19th-century Vienna by Beethoven, Matiegka and Diabelli, operatic highlights by Mozart and Meyerbeer, and concertante solo, duo and trio works by Guiliani, Hoffmeister and Molino - a perfect programme for a sweet Midsummer evening.
Check out our take on the grande dame of UK summer festivals here:
Many exciting summer music festivals are happening up and down the country, not all dedicated solely to early music, featuring many outstanding period ensembles.
There are the Aldeburgh Festival, The Northern Aldborough Festival, Ely Arts Festival, and St Magnus Festival … to name but a few. You can find their early music offerings by using the Festival/Series filter on our What’s On listing. Whether you go for the music, the atmosphere, or just the sheer joy of a summer’s evening, there's no better way to celebrate.
We also have created a Midsummer playlist with music from the Renaissance to the Baroque, to accompany you on your festival travels, or to keep you company at home. Here’s to the music and the magic of this ‘eternal’ season.
Happy Midsummer, everyone.
Kirsten & the Continuo Team