Curated by Irish baroque cellist Norah O’Leary the programme Basse Instinct explores the resonant world of baroque bass instruments, celebrating the low end of the gamut, with virtuosity and musical give-and-take. 

From their frequent place at the bottom of the ensemble in the continuo section, each bass instrument in turn takes the spotlight, weaving the voices of viola da gamba, cello and harpsichord in a collaboration on equal footing. Performed by festival favourites Malcolm Proud (harpsichord) Sarah Groser (viola da gamba) Norah O’Leary (cello), and Carina Drury (cello), with renowned viola da gamba player Nicholas Milne.

Joseph Bodin de Boismortier (1689–1755)
Cello Sonata No. 2 in G major, Op. 50

Marin Marais (1656–1728)
Chaconne from Suite en sol majeur (à deux violes)
Tombeau de Mr Meltiton (à deux violes)

Élisabeth-Claude Jacquet de la Guerre (1665–1729)
Suite in A minor (from Pièces de clavecin, 1687)

Louis-François-Joseph Patouart (1719–1793)
Sonate en trio pour deux violoncelles et une contrebasse No. 6, Op. 2

Michel Corrette (1707–1795)
Le Phénix — Concert in D major (c. 1735)