The Alehouse Sessions

Experience firsthand the vibrant musical scene of London's 17th-century pubs brought vividly to life by some of the world's most dynamic musicians. Join Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene, plus a cameo appearance by celebrated British soprano Mary Bevan, as they transport you to the lively ambiance of a classic pub gig from centuries past. Stomp along to their celebration of beauty, improvisation, melancholy, and bawdiness as composers Purcell, Playford, and their European contemporaries bang heads with ballads, ditties, elegies, sea-shanties, and folk songs with infectious energy. Along the way learn a bit about the history of music in the 17th century, including Cromwell's closure of playhouses sent music to the public houses, enriching London's cultural landscape in ways that resonate to this day.