The Beverley & East Riding Early Music Festival returns to Beverley from 22-24 May 2026 for its 38th year, featuring a series of performances centred around the theme of Miracles & Mysteries. Organised by the National Centre for Early Music, the festival will bring international musicians and emerging talent to historic venues across the town.
The festival theme draws inspiration from the life of St John of Beverley, a medieval figure who was a notable miracle worker. The programme opens on 22 May at St Mary’s Church with the French ensemble Près de votre Oreille, led by Robin Pharo, performing a selection of works by 17th-century composer William Lawes. The following evening, the vocal group The Tallis Scholars, directed by Peter Phillips, will perform at Beverley Minster. The festival will conclude on 24 May at the East Riding Theatre with a production titled Purcell: The Musical, written by Clare Norburn and featuring actor Niall Ashdown.
A new feature for the 2026 festival is a collaboration with East Riding Libraries. This partnership, titled Baroque Around The Books, will host a series of free musical performances at libraries in Pocklington, Market Weighton, Goole, and Beverley, aiming to bring the festival experience to a wider audience.
In addition to these performances, the festival will highlight new and emerging artists, including the Bellot Ensemble and several platform artists such as Pseudonym, Intesa, and Rune. Dr Delma Tomlin, who has directed the festival since it began in 1988, continues to lead the event with support from Arts Council England and the East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
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