la Brigata (Italian for a company of friends) was founded in 1989 by Kristine Szulik from Cheshire, (Alto) and Andrew Kirkman, with the aim of introducing audiences to some marvellous areas of early music that are now rarely performed.

la Brigata specialises in fully staged music-theatre pieces.  Danse Macabre,  100 years of the plague in 50 minutes.  Bisclavret, an interpretation of the lais of Marie de France.  The Feast of Fools, a mediaeval celebration of misrule.  Henry's Wives, Henry from his wives point of view.  Sex, Seduction and Insanity, music-theatre from the 1680's.

The music explores areas of medieval life and culture.  It requires highly versatile performers able to switch comfortably between music that can be simple or intricate, bawdy or sophisticated, from the trouveres of the thirteenth century to the court composers of the fifteenth.  It is music of high quality which makes an immediate impact and leaves a lasting impression.

la Brigata works in all areas of education with a bias towards disability groups.  Following the success of Noah's Flood (as seen on Channel 4, Cable TV and Fred the Weatherman), they continue as Artists in Residence at the Mulberry Centre Chester.

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