Brighton's second festival of early music got underway with a flawless collection of Renaissance-era gems from pre-eminent performers.

All the musicians have matched their obvious passion for the music with a scholarly fervour necessary for such rare pieces.

Emma Kirkby has become the uncrowned queen of this era; it is hard to imagine the world of early music without her unique voice to adorn it.

Fretwork are the world's leading viol collective. They have taken the music of the consort into new areas of performance, as well as becoming masters of the standard repertoire.

Their collaboration for the concert was entirely based around the work of William Byrd, the 16th-Century composer famed for his majestic church music.

His consort songs covered both sacred and secular areas and a wide range of fascinating subjects.

Kirkby's performance was a delight from beginning to end. Her clarity of tone is without equal and was heard at its best in this chamber setting.

She and the four players of Fretwork shared an uncanny empathy throughout.

All of the performers and organisers have done us a great service in preserving this music and presenting it so superbly.