What is the St Birinus Festival?
The St Birinus Festival brings together outstanding musicians, scholars, and communities for a celebration of sacred music in the beautiful setting of Dorchester-on-Thames.
Over four days, experience concerts, liturgies, workshops, and talks that explore the rich heritage of Catholic musical tradition.
2026 highlights
Iberian polyphony
Much of the liturgical music this year will be by Renaissance composers from Spain and Portugal, most of which will be being performed for the first time in 400 years
Monteverdi's vespers of 1610
Saturday night's main event is a concert performance of this seminal work by the Venetian composer, featuring the combined voices and period instruments of all this year's festival musicians.
Festival Schedule
Browse our programme of concerts, liturgies, and events
Thursday, July 9
Choral Vespers and opening ceremony
Opening choral Vespers of the 2026 St Birinus Festival. Music by Tomás Luis de Victoria, Sebastián de Vivanco, and Sebastián López de Velasco. Directed by Simon Over, and accompanied by period...
Lecture recital: Professor Glenn Richardson ~ Mary Tudor & Philip of Spain
Glenn Richardson is Professor of Early Modern History. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and is an Honorary Fellow of...
Friday, July 10
Lauds
We start day 2 of our festival with the office of Lauds: the first act of praise and thankfulness at the rising of the sun. This will be sung to...
Requiem mass
Solemn Requiem Mass for past benefactors and patrons of the St Birinus Festival. The celebrant will be Fr John Osman, parish priest of St Birinus Catholic Church. After Mass, there...
Lunchtime recital
The Guerrero Baroque Collective present a programme of early baroque instrumental works from Italy, Spain and England. Works by Cererols, Vivaldi, Purcell. Guerrero Baroque Collective is the UK's newest period...
Children’s Workshop: Kate Kennedy and the Mary Remnant Foundation
Open to children of all ages and parents alike, during this session you can learn about and try out early instruments. During her lifetime Mary Remnant collected over 150 musical...
Catherine Coldstream in conversation with BBC Presenter Kate Kennedy
Join Kate Kennedy for a fascinating interview with no1 bestselling author Catherine Coldstream. She is a writer, mentor, editor, and occasional musician. Author of Cloistered: My Years as a Nun. Her...
Vespers
Join us for the first vespers of St Birinus. Ryan Wigglesworth will direct the combined choirs of The Southwell Consort and the Davey Consort, as well as the early instruments...
Concert: Yo soy la Locura ~ The Sweet Madness of Love
Yo soy la Locura: The Sweet Madness of Love Songs of Love and Unreason from across Europe. La Locura is an early music group known for its bold and unexpected...
Saturday, July 11
Lauds
Begin day 3 of the festival the best way possible: the ancient office of Lauds. Today we celebrate the solemnity of St Birinus, our patron. The chant will be led...
Chant workshop
Sign up for an in-depth Gregorian chant workshop with Schola Gregoriana director, Iain Simcock. The chant course will run from 9:45 to 10:45, allowing time for Mass and lunch. It...
Pontifical Mass of St Birinus and Solemn procession
On this day, with permission of the Archbishop of Birmingham, we celebrate our patronal feast, St Birinus, our own apostle to Wessex. This will be the most significant event of...
Dom Cuthbert Brogan ~ Sacred Music and the liturgy
Dom Cuthbert Brogan is the abbot of the Benedictine monastery of St Michael’s Abbey in Farnborough. Founded by the Empress Eugenie of France, the abbey cares for the earthly remains...
Pontifical Vespers
A great liturgical celebration of our patron St Birinus, officiated by the Abbot and monks of Farnborough Abbey. The music will be led by Iain Simcock and the Schola Cantorum...
Concert: Monteverdi Vespers of 1610
The Festival Concert this year is the Opus Magnus of Venetian composer Claudio Monteverdi. Written as an audition piece to the Pope, Monteverdi poured every ounce of his talents and...
Sunday, July 12
Mass
Our regular Sunday Mass, for the 7th Sunday after Pentecost. Music provided by The Davey Consort and Ryan Wigglesworth.Francisco Guerrero ~ Missa Ecce sacerdosJose Gay ~ Beata es Maria Bernardo...
Organ recital
After Mass, Iain Simcock will give a short recital on the Aubertin organ at St Birinus.
St Birinus Festival Pass 2026
A Festival Pass will give you entry to all the programmed events and includes a Festival Programme.
Festival Sponsors
