THE LION AND THE UNICORN

At the turn of the 17th century the lute was the undisputed king of instruments, and John Dowland its greatest English champion, until gentleman-composer and soldier Captain Tobias Hume threw down the gauntlet and claimed the viol to be its equal. The Lion and the Unicorn explores the tussle for pre-eminence between the two instruments through the words and music of Dowland, who challenged Hume's assertion, and of Hume himself. Jacob Heringman, lute, and Susanna Pell, viol, are joined by actors Simon Pell and Thomas Frere to bring these colourful and complex personalities to life. The result is a highly entertaining evening, profound, beautiful, and often humorous, containing some of the finest music and poetry of the late Elizabethan and early Jacobean period.

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REVIEWS OF THE LION AND THE UNICORN

Hexham Courant October 7th, 2011

The music of these composers was beautifully interpreted by Susanna Pell on viol and Jacob Heringman on  lute.

The solos were played with fluency and emotion, with Jacob Heringman capturing especially the professional anguish of John Dowland in John Dowland's Farewell, and Susanna Pell the tragic later years of Hume in his sonorous Deth.

Each instrument complemented and framed the melody and harmony of the other, and the effect was infinitely more than the sum of the parts.

The audience loved it.

Northern Echo May 7th 2012