Barokksolistene

Founded and led by Norwegian violinist Bjarte Eike in 2005, Barokksolistene is now recognised as one of the world’s most dynamic and exciting groups working in the field of historically informed performance, fusing virtuoso musicianship with flawless ensemble playing. Constantly striving to reach out to new audiences, their passion to engage with folk and experimental music, improvisation, visual arts, dance and story-telling has led them to create unique concert experiences which play to sold-out audiences worldwide. Since the release of the chart topping Alehouse Sessions in 2017, and a world wide tour, Bjarte and the boys and girls have been busy on a new album which moves the alehouse project on from dour Puritanism of Cromwell's Commonwealth, to the hedonistic Restoration of Charles II, and the Glorious Revolution that saw William III and Mary II replace the unpopular James II. The alehouse musical culture developed into playhouses, and music halls, selling tickets and subscriptions. Nights in these places featured masques, jesting, stage fights, cross dressing, pantomime, songs sung to popular tunes of the day, satire, and a good number of rustic clowns, bawdy wenches and fools thrown in for good measure! Think of this as a very English mix of Shakespeare, commedia dell arte and juggling with music by Purcell, folk tunes, and sea shanties. After the misery of the Cromwell's dictatorship, the public were in the mood to party! Playhouse is your invitation to join!