2024 is the 250th anniversary of Priestley discoverying oxygen – the breath of life. This inspires 4 programmes built around the ancient elements of Fire, Earth, Air, Water, focusing on the need to sustain our beautiful world. There’s a fiery programme of Tartini, Biber & Schmelzer alongside mystical fire from Hildegard of Bingen. John ‘Brook’ (alias JS Bach) and composers linked to Venice (Queen of the Sea) inspire a watery programme. The power of wind and spirit underlie our grand centrepiece at Fotheringhay. And we reflect the stability and nurture of mother earth in a feast of music on ground basses.