Entertainment – Joe Fuller: Early music in the early hours

Brighton Early Music Festival have an exciting event at the centre of their programme this year: Gaia – Three Intermedi For A Living Planet (Sat 12 Nov, 3pm & 7.30pm, St Bart’s Church). Traditional intermedi involved songs and instrumental music between the acts of a play, but the Gaia concert takes a modern approach: film, projections, lighting, mime, yoga and dance will tell the story of the earth in a way you’ve probably never seen it told before.

The music will include selections from Monteverdi’s beautfiul opera Orfeo. There is also a community feel to the evening since the BREMF Community Choir and Consort of Voices will feature alongside professional singers and musicians such as The English Sackbut & Cornett Ensemble.

The groups performing have been taking part in open mic nights

I love events with crossover appeal that bring classical music to a wider audience so am particularly looking forward to the BREMF Live! – Clubnight (Sat 5 Nov, 9pm, The Joker). The evening will feature a wide range of music ranging from lute songs (check out Come Again by Dowland if you’re unacquainted with how beautiful the form can be) to early 19th century string quartets. The groups performing have been taking part in open mic nights around Brighton in the run-up: Block4 recorders played at Northern Lights and Ensemble Hesperi played Scottish folk songs at The Dorset so they will be experienced in winning round a rowdy audience.

Anyone interested in science might enjoy a music drama on the life and discoveries of Galileo Galilei (Sat/Sun 29/30 Oct, 7.30pm, St Paul’s Church). The physicist was also passionate about music so the performance will include works he would have known by Carissimi, Gabrieli and Lassus.

Go to www.bremf.org.uk to browse the full programme