Thomas Thackray: Twelve Divertimenti for Two Guittars, Opera 3d

Thomas Thackray of York dedicated these charming duets (c. 1775) to Lady Irwin, Frances Gibson Shepheard Ingram (1734-1807), wife of Charles Ingram, 9th Viscount Irwin. Painted by Benjamin Wilson and Joshua Reynolds, she had inherited £40,000 from her father, and then the Temple Newsom estate and other property on the death of her husband in 1778. A keen gardener, she was instrumental in redesigning the estate parkland. As well as being a musician, she was an art collector and a force in politics.

Thomas Thackray’s cittern music is a model of the galant style, delicate, elegant and poised. He had a flair for melody, and in these duets adds an equally melodic second voice that makes these divertimenti as pleasant to play as they are to listen to.

This album is currently in production.