A GLORIOUS CONCERT

Inspired by Gesualdo Six

Last night Caitlin and I attended a concert given by the group Gesualdo Six. It was the third time we had enjoyed this marvellous event - in which the singers, costumed for the 16th century, enacted a secret Catholic mass, threatened by soldiers and likely to suffer the harshest penalties. You can see here the singers grouped around a table at St John;’s Church Smith Square in London. Caitlín is sitting g at the table - you can just see her hands, and I am hidden to the left, where I began writing a poem. Following some work today polishing the words, here is the poem. My gift to the Gesualdo ^ and to the memory of William Byrd (1540-1623). A CD of this, and other splendid music performed by the Six, can be purchased from them or the usual suppliers.

ON ATTENDING ‘SECRET BYRD’: A CONCERT BY GESUSALDO 6

AT ST JOHN’S SMITH SQUARE ON THE  8th OF MAY 2026


I cannot say the moment when
time stopped; perhaps
in the second when
the voices rose, mingling
with candle-smoke
and breaths drawn in 
in wonderment.

The priest’s cupped hands
held all the sacred souls
their silence wrapped in air;
While to the simple table,
enhanced with light,
with bread and wine,
the singers clustered.

Those who watched, enwrapped
in the spaces between
the bread and wine,
made perfect by 
the triumphal song.

And at the centre, 
where hearts beat,
unfettered and free,
the moment of grace,
threaded every heart 
with burning flame.

The secret landscape, sung,
was given wings by light 
and love. Awed,
we turned inward
and broke the silence there. 

The tumult of spirits, 
alone no more,
were given wings
to rise above the earth
and dance the heavens through.

The triumph of music over time
sends us to the heart 
of all that time contains.

Emptied out, we joined
with all the spirits gathered near.
bowed our heads in wonder 
at the shifting power 
of ancient notes,
and shared in the glorious feast
of God and Man together,
woven by joy to a perfect whole.


Copyright John Matthews
8th- 9th May, 2026