St Nicholas Priory is hosting an evening of medieval music following an afternoon workshop with musicians Steve Tyler, Marco Cannavò and Katy Marchant on Saturday 15 November.
The evening concert includes European sacred and secular songs spanning the 12th to 15th centuries played on historical musical instruments including hurdy-gurdy, citole, organistrum, portative organ, bladder pipe and gothic harp.
The concert will follow an afternoon workshop led by the trio, suitable for all ages, offering an opportunity to see different medieval instruments up close and find out how they are played.
Steve Tyler, Marco Cannavo and Katy Marchant
Hurdy-gurdy player Steve Tyler co-founded Misericordia with Anne Marie Summers in 1994, winning the duet competition at St. Chartier in 1999 before joining Daughters of Elvin in 2001.
He has performed with folk singers, industrial/electronic musicians and puppeteers and played for theatrical productions at Shakespeare’s Globe.
Marco Cannavò is a hurdy-gurdy player and multi-instrumentalist from Devon who brings ancient melodies to contemporary audiences.
Last year he released Vexilla Regis, a collaboration with Steve Tyler, Katy Marchant and Terry Mann.
Bagpipe player Katy Marchant has played with Devonian folk artist Jim Causley and is a member of balfolk trio Woodwose alongside Steve Tyler.
In 1996 she founded Daughters of Elvin, which uses medieval paintings, carvings and literature to bring the era’s music to life. The band tours the UK and Europe, appearing at street festivals, heritage fairs and historic buildings.
St Nicholas Priory. Photo: Hugh Llewelyn under Creative Commons license.
Grade I listed St Nicholas Priory, founded by William the Conqueror in 1087, is Exeter’s oldest building.
Following the dissolution of the monasteries it became a prominent Elizabethan town house before being subdivided into several smaller houses and business premises.
In 1916 it was restored to become a museum, with Exeter Historic Buildings Trust becoming responsible for its use in 2018
Sacred and Profane: Music of the Middle Ages begins at 7.30pm on Saturday 15 November 2025 at St Nicholas Priory. Doors open at 7pm.
Tickets cost £15 and are available via the TicketSource website.
The medieval music workshop takes place from 2-3.30pm. Tickets cost £12 and can also be purchased from TicketSource.
