Bartholomew Faire is an early music group based in the Metro Phoenix, AZ area. Bartholomew Faire specializes in the open-ended, historically inspired interpretation of medieval and renaissance music using a dazzling variety of authentic instruments.
Bartholomew Faire presents themed concerts, elegant backdrop music on ‘soft’ instruments like the lute and harp for special events, as well as loud band “street music” for festivals, featuring bagpipes, shawms, and the pipe & tabor.
A Bartholomew Faire performance is an event appealing to all ages and all audiences. The melodies and harmonies played on visually appealing instruments with distinctive sounds rouses curiosity, dancing, meditation, intrigue, and a nostalgia for centuries past.
Bartholomew Faire have won audiences over everywhere they have played, from large stages, intimate coffeehouses, theatre productions, art galleries, outdoor events, house concerts… even at a car dealership!
To find out what Bartholomew Faire is playing, and where’s they’ll be playing it, be sure to click on “BARTHOLOMEW FAIRE: NOW HEAR YE!” on this website.
STEFAN DOLLAK, director
lute, mandore, hurdy-gurdy, pipe & tabor
recorder, rauschpfeife, ocarina, bladder-pipe, krumhorn, feadog, gemshorn
percussion, psaltery, citole
LOUIS RODRIGUEZ
al’ud, citole, Gothic bagpipe
bladder-pipe, recorder, gemshorn, cornemuse
DANIELLE FRANKLIN
Gothic harp, recorder, tamorra, pipe & tabor, nakers
DAVID RACHOR
dulcian, doucaine, krumhorn, hummelchen, bagpipe, shawm, rauschpfeife
Bartholomew Faire in the Arizona Curriculum Theater presentation of “Yuletide”
Bartholomew Faire’s repertory:
CANTIGAS & MIRACLES: Music of 13th century Spain, performed with an exotic blend of Muslim and Christian styles and instruments.
ORCHESOGRAPHIE: The Renaissance Dances.
A program that captures the vitality and energy of the dance music of 16th century France.
CELTIC PLAYFORD: The dance tunes of Playford’s English Dancing Master of the 17th century reveals popular Irish and Scottish influences.
Other programmes:
THE RED BOOK: Featuring the medieval pilgrim songs and dances from the famous Llibre Vermell manuscript of Montserrat.
ORPHEUS OF IRELAND: The exciting melodies of Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan blend Celtic tradition with the bravura of Italian baroque music.
THIS YULE: With readings and music, Bartholomew Faire presents Christmas songs, dances, characters, incantations, and verse from centuries past.
Ancient Soundscapes 
I have really enjoyed listening to hurdy gurdy music on youtube. Do you or your group perform at any local venues in the Phx area ? (such a fascinating instrument !)
Hi Bob! Nice to hear from you.
We do occasionally play around the Phoenix area; of course not so much these days due to the pandemic. Here’s hoping for a Covid-free 2021!