AN ENIGMATICALLY named Burying the Dead concert will be performed as a coffee concert in Bridport in May.

The Ceruleo Ensemble will perform as part of the Concerts in the West series at Bridport Arts Centre on Friday, May 4 at 11am.

Written by scriptwriter Clare Norburn, Burying the Dead is much more than just a concert. It uses a powerful combination of different instruments and voices to bring composer Henry Purcell's Restoration London to life vividly with performances that are both dramatic and innovative.

Ceruleo describe the show as something that is: “Bigger and better than anything we’ve done before. It’s a cross between a play and a concert, with Purcell giving a deathbed testimony, during which he is tormented by half dreams and memories of his childhood. The composer takes you into his internal dreamworld and on a journey through his memories of theatrical intrigues.”

Comprising two sopranos (Emily Owen and Jenni Harper), Stoke Doi-Luck on harpsichord, Kate Conway on cello and viol, Toby Carr on guitar and lute and actor Gerald Kyd, Ceruleo tell stories through a captivating blend of words and music.

Their concerts don’t feature lengthy programme notes and translations and are therefore extremely user friendly.

The musicians are passionate about the music that they perform and want to share it with people of all ages. So their shows are family friendly and they hold many education workshops in schools and local communities.

Ceruleo formed in 2014 at The Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and were delighted to be invited back as Artist Fellows for 2016-17. They have performed both at home and abroad, including concerts as part of the Brighton Early Music Festival, at St John's Smith Square and live on BBC Radio 3’s In Tune.

Catherine Maddocks, director and founder of Concerts in the West, said: “This concert sends shivers down my spine! It captures the life and music of Henry Purcell through a beautiful combination of words and music. Every member of Ceruleo performs as a soloist, which gives their performances a tremendous level of assurance. As musicians they are highly innovative, but also extremely audience friendly and I am delighted that they are not only performing in front of audiences, but are also holding an educational workshop at Richard Huish College in Taunton. This is free to attend and I urge students of any age to take this opportunity to experience Ceruleo and their particular brand of music making/story telling.”

Concerts in the West present The Ceruleo Ensemble, Bridport Arts Centre, Friday May 4, 11am to 12pm. Contact the arts centre box office for tickets.