‘The Virgin Queen’ Elizabeth I was the focal-point of all England - the subject, dedicatee and audience for much of the music composed and performed throughout her long and now legendary reign. The music on this album, chosen for a concert of words and music devised for the Sarum Consort by Deborah Mackay, includes sacred and secular pieces by composers from Byrd to Weelkes.

The Sarum Consort here makes its Naxos début under founding musical director Andrew Mackay.

“The Sarum Consort is a finely balanced and blended group… whose pacing and control of light and shade cannot be faulted.” - Penguin Guide

Contents:
Thomas Weelkes:
- As Vesta was from Latmos Hill descending

Thomas Hunt:
- Hark! Did ye ever hear?

William Byrd:
- O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth

Orlando Gibbons:
- O clap your hands

Anonymous:
- Robin is to the greenwood gonn

Alfonso Ferrabosco II:
- So beauty on the waters stood

Philippe Rogier:
- Laboravi in gemitu meo

Michael East:
- Hence, stars, too dim of light

John Wilbye:
- Oft have I vow’d

John Dowland:
- Time stands still

Thomas Tomkins:
- Adieu, ye city-prisoning towers

John Wilbye:
- Ye that do live in pleasures

John Dowland:
- The Right Honourable the Lady Rich, her galliard

Thomas Morley:
- Hard by a crystal fountain

John Wilbye:
- Draw on, sweet night