Belfast-based early music ensemble Sestina explore themes of life and death through the works of J.S. and J.C. Bach in three concerts this September.

Sestina was founded in 2011 with the intention of showcasing and training gifted young Irish musicians at the beginning of their professional years. The ensemble recently performed Claudio Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 in Armagh, Dublin and Belfast. 

Joining musical director and counter tenor Mark Chambers in the three Bach concerts are sopranos Fiona Flynn and Chloe Morgan, alto Laura Lamph, tenors Thomas Guthrie and Thomas Herford, and basses Aaron O’Hare and Brian McAlea.

They will be accompanied by Johannes Leertouwer (leader), Clare Duff, Colin Norrby and Carolyn Hall (violins), Marja Gaynor and Lisa Dowdall (violas), Natasha Kraemer (cello) and Malcolm Proud (organ and harpsichord).

The programme, titled Mein Freund ist mein (My Beloved is mine), includes J.S. Bach’s Sarabandeand Chaconne (with choral interpolations) and Cantata No. 4 (Christ lag in Todes Banden), and J.C. Bach’s Es ist nun aus (Sterb Aria) and Meine Freundin du bist schön.

The concerts will take place in St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh (Friday 4 September), The Ulster Museum, Belfast (Saturday 5 September) and St Ann’s Church, Dublin (Sunday 6 September).

For more on Sestina visit www.sestinamusic.com. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.