Conceived by the Norwegian baroque violinist Bjarte Eike for his period band Barokksolistene, this programme is his very personal image of melancholy. The connection between music and melancholy is far from new – at least since the time of the ancient Greeks, and probably long before them, there has been a belief that music has the power to influence our mood, to alleviate sadness or melancholy – or to induce it.

Fast becoming a favourite at festivals throughout Europe, Eike will infuse the Playhouse with a style he describes as ‘… just old pop music’.

‘Their extempore playing creates the air of a late-night jamming session – all sultry voices and moody strings, and a few rough edges add to the sense of spontaneity’ (BBC Music Magazine).