Elizabeth Kenny’s Theatre of the Ayre reveals some of the most extraordinary music of the 17th century on The Masque of Moments, their debut recording for Linn.

Focusing on the ‘Ayre’, the central part of a Masque, it offers a fascinating glimpse of the audacious and experimental virtuosity that is often absent from our image of English music of this time.

Inspired by the achievements of the ‘Lutes and Voices’, Kenny developed The Masque of Moments in 2015, highlighting the glories of little-known vocal music from the Jacobean and Caroline masque.

The ‘Lutes’’plucked sound world, of which this recording gives a hint, reflects a cornucopia of sounds used to create everything from a tavern scene to a reflection of paradise.

The ‘Voices’ come courtesy of Sophie Daneman, William Purefoy, Ian Wicks, Nicholas Mulroy, Giles Underwood, Rosanna Wicks and Salisbury Cathedral Choir.