Popular Music in the Time of Shakespeare

The great consort music from the court of Elizabeth Tudor is well known, but what did common people sing or hear? Common folk sang broadside ballads or danced to simple bransles (pronounced brawls).

Learn about ballads mentioned in Shakespeare plays, and dances that were popular outside to the court. Our presenters will perform Shakespeare-era dances and ballads and provide vivid descriptions of instruments from the time period.

About the Presenters:

Todd and Vicki Marsh have been performing and researching Renaissance and Medieval music since the 1980s. Their group, The Gruffydd Consort, has performed concerts, dances, and Medieval Christmas programs. Vicki plays harp, percussion, recorders, and crumhorns. Todd plays viol da gamba, vielle, citole, shawm, recorders, and crumhorns.

For more Shakespeare Saturday programs, check out our list of events!