The Auricula Suite is an album of songs telling a re-imagined story of a historical journey to a new land. Inspired by folk tales of the alpine flower – the Primula auricula – and its 16th century journey to England with the Huguenot refugees, it is a tale of love and loss, persecution and a new beginning.
The album features Rich & Lou Duffy-Howard’s Auricula Suite Ensemble, Lou and Rich with Amanda Lowe and Quentin Budworth – vocals, acoustic guitars, hammer dulcimer and hurdy gurdy.
The Auricula Suite featured in Duffy-Howard Music’s ‘My Ancestors were French’ heritage project – music, art, film and poetry telling of a journey to a new land, exploring the modern day experiences of new settlers today. Part of ‘All Our Stories’, in support of BBC2’s ‘The Great British Story – A People’s History’ it explores what it feels like to be a stranger in a strange land.
The album was launched at a concert and flower show at the National Trust’s Calke Abbey, site of the oldest auricula theatre in England.
Listen to a track, The Same Sky
“The music was intricately beautiful, the songs informative and real, the performers were fascinating to watch and the whole entertainment and feel of the evening was celebratory. The interweaving of the instrument sounds and the vocals painted exciting pictures. Get the CD it is a beautiful recording of the material. ” Gifford Rolfe
“What a fantastic evening the Auricula Suite concert is – beautiful people, music, and flowers. A room bursting with colour, love & enriched with mesmeric music, we all absolutely loved it!” Lynn Beaumont
“Thank you for your performance, beautiful music, lyrics, colours and auriculas!” June H
“The songs are lovely, memorable and haunting.” Liz Goodwin
Listen to a track, illustrated by some of our flowers…
© Duffy-Howard 2013
Originally released April 20, 2013
Visit The Auricula Suite website