Elizabeth Kenny

Welcome

Elizabeth Kenny is one of Europe’s leading lute players. Her playing has been described as “incandescent” (Music and Vision), “radical” (The Independent on Sunday) and “indecently beautiful” (Toronto Post).

In thirty years of touring, she has played with many of the world’s best period instrument groups and experienced many different approaches to music making. She now concentrates on smaller collaborations and recitals, both solo, and with friends and colleagues who inspire her. Her love of seventeenth century theatre has lead her to direct programmes with Theatre of the Ayre, and to appear as a guest director for projects where singers and players work on equal terms. Since 2020 she has been Dean of Students at the Royal Academy of Music alongside her teaching of the lute and related plucked instruments.

"Recording of the Month: ‘This beautifully recorded disc will no doubt be one of my highlights of 2017."

MusicWeb International on The Masque of Moments

"Kenny demonstrated her interpretive skill in her solo performance. Kenny’s experience and mastery of her instrument was on full display when she played Hieronymus Kapsberger’s Toccata in D minor"

Seen and Heard International Dec 2024 - Just Biber

"Gloriously skilful and varied in texture…(a) sense of genuinely collective, community music-making that gives this recording such personality and charm."

Gramophone April 2017

"… this was the lutenist Elizabeth Kenny’s ensemble, Theatre of the Ayre, compellingly dramatizing the French Baroque in vocal and instrumental prowess …"

The Times

"Attracting audiences with the familiar is a well-worn tactic, but the Theatre of the Ayre likes to do things differently… Its weapons: a freshness of approach and a quasi-improvisatory freedom of delivery."

Financial Times

Latest Recordings

Ars Longa: music for solo theorbo

Ars Longa: Old and New Music for solo theorbo

Biber: Complete Violin Sonatas — 1681

Following the chart-topping success of his Bach Sonatas and Partitas and equal acclaim for his recording of Walther's Scherzi da violino, Bojan Cicic now turns to Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber's collection of sonatas from 1681 - among the most ambitious and inventive violin works of the seventeenth century.

Latest Video

Spiritato – Music to her Majestie E201

Music for Her Majestie with Spiritato, guest-directed by Liz Kenny Did you enjoy the film The Favourite? Explore this Queen's early life as a Princess, and her lifelong interest in music to mark the events of the reign. A rack team of soloists explore exquisite works dedicated to the last Stuart. Beginning with Purcell’s beautiful music for her wedding as a young princess, via the modern premiere of John Eccles’ lyrical Inspire Us Genius of the Day, full of hope for Britain’s new Queen in 1703, to Handel’s glowing ode for her birthday of 1713, his masterpiece; Eternal Source of Light Divine. Each work features the finest composer and leading poet of the day and shines a light on two decades of politics and power at the dawn of the 18th Century. Our programme: H Purcell – From Hardy Climes and Dangerous Toils of War J Eccles – Inspire Us Genius of the Day GF Handel – Eternal Source of Light Divine

Cubaroque | De Pasión Mortal: Oxford International Song Festival

Cubaroque juxtaposes two golden ages of songs. Music from 17th-century Europe by Purcell, Monteverdi, Hidalgo and others sits alongside songs from modern Latin America, with works by songwriters from Cuba, Chile, and Argentina. Nicholas Mulroy, Elizabeth Kenny and Toby Carr perform songs that are separated by time and space, but united by the beauty and unflinching truth of their music and poetry.