Sandy Burnett is one of the UK’s most authoritative broadcasters in the field of classical music. His broadcasts, interviews, and lectures are all underpinned by the hands-on experience of being a practising musician.  

Four hundred years ago in July 1623 saw the death of the outstanding English composer  William Byrd; prolific and successful, he was a favourite at the court of Queen Elizabeth. But Byrd led a complicated existence as a devout Catholic in troubled Tudor times, when to  infringe strict religious rules ran the risk of imprisonment or even death. Forced  underground, he created some of his most expressive music for fellow Catholics to use in  secret worship. This talk celebrates the best of Byrd’s awe-inspiring work and reflects on  what it means to create superb art in circumstances of great danger.

Sandy will be working with the Monteverdi Project during a 3 day masterclass between the 13th and 15th October, culminating in a Performance-Lecture on William Byrd.

This project is produced by Festivals Malta and is being done in collaboration with the Jesuits’ Church Foundation and the support of the British Council.