By the mid-18th century, ... It’s hard to imagine there weren’t a few giggles – but if the state of his much-mended breeches is any guide, he wasn’t too bothered.

â?oEarly musicâ??. Earlier than what? Weâ?Tve come a long way from the bearded earnestness of the early period performance revival. Thereâ?Ts a freedom and a flexibility to the music of the 12th to ...