WHEN:
July 20 & 21, 2025
WHERE:
Salvage One
1840 W Hubbard St.
Chicago, IL 60622, USA
A spokesperson describes the event as follows:
“...Secret Byrd invites audiences to step back in time to 16th century England and participate in a clandestine worship service where a group of Catholics gather in secret to maintain their religious practices despite the illegality of their faith. Showcasing William Byrd’s Mass for Five Voices sung by The Gesualdo Six – a British ensemble best known for its interpretation of Renaissance polyphony – and accompanied by local viol consorts ViolMedium and Second City Musick, the fully immersive, candlelit experience promises to engage all five senses. Audiences are invited to listen to the music, move through the space, interact with the historically-accurate props, and consume bread and wine during the communion portion of the mass…
...English Renaissance composer William Byrd risked his career and his life by being an openly practicing Catholic during a period of intense persecution of Catholics by the government supported Anglican Church. He defied the laws of the time and composed music in the Catholic tradition while actively working as a prominent composer for the Queen and the Anglican Church. Bryd’s Mass for Five Voices was written to be sung at one of the private masses celebrated in secret by British Catholic communities during this era of persecution. Debuted in 2023 to mark the 400thanniversary of Byrd’s death, Secret Byrd recreates one of these secret services and has been performed in sold-out shows around the world..."
