Booking and queries: via this link.

A series of five illustrated online lectures celebrating the music and legacy of the musicians of Ávila – focusing particularly on the music of Victoria and his contemporaries – Morales, Vivanco and Ribera.

At the core of every talk is Victoria: tracing his career and influences across the episodes, David selects representative works and asks questions about structure, style and the ways in which we perform and hear this music. From the juvenile brilliance of Super flumina Babylonis to the final, searing music of the 1603 Requiem, David urges you to listen afresh to Victoria, while championing the music of unjustly eclipsed contemporaries. All with his customary mixture of expertise, passion and humour.

These talks will be ‘illuminated’ with images of Ávila, music, virtual walks through the city and recipes to recreate the gastronomic taste of Ávila for those of us who have been lucky enough to visit – and those who have that pleasure yet to come. There will also be opportunities to sing some of the glorious music we are exploring together.

A Taste of Ávila will begin and end with live interactive chat opportunities where you can ask David questions in real time. All lectures will be broadcast on the Runbysingers YouTube Channel so you can catch up on any missed episodes if the live times don’t suit your schedule – or time zone.