The Picardy Players give a rare glimpse into life in Kyivan Rus’ in the Middle Ages, through music inspired by fascinating personal letters written on strips of birch bark that were unearthed in recent decades—stories of love, heartbreak and everyday life.

Original compositions by James Batty draw inspiration from Slavic folk music experienced in Ukraine and Russia to tell these characters’ tales, and are enriched with elements of sight, smell, taste and touch.

The programme is framed by two microtonal gems written 400 years apart by Nicola Vicentino and György Ligeti, and uses an otherworldly musical language from the Renaissance and period instruments to bridge the gap between the protagonists’ world and our own.