Since their acclaimed debut in 1992, Sirinu have established a reputation at the cutting edge of Early and World music performance. The four members of Sirinu – Sara Stowe (soprano/keyboards), Henry Stobart (recorders/wind instruments), Matthew Spring (lutes, early plucked/hurdy-gurdy) and Jon Banks (harp, gittern, percussion) – perform not only on their principal instruments but also, depending on the programme, a great number of less orthodox European and ethnic instruments.

Sara Stowe studied the piano and harpsichord at The Royal College of Music in London, where she won a scholarship and harpsichord prizes. She studied singing in Italy with the aid of a British Council Award. Sara sings regularly on Radio 3 and with artists including Matthew Spring, James Wood, The Academy of Ancient Music, The Taverner Consort, Folies Bergères, The Broadside Band, Gemini and Singcircle.

Henry Stobart studied recorder and tuba at the Birmingham School of Music. He played with several ensembles before first travelling to Bolivia where he lived with rural communities and studied their music for several years, developing a special interest in Bolivian music.

Matthew Spring read music and history at Keele University and at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he completed a D.Phil on the lute. He went on to study the lute at the Royal College of Music and now follows parallel careers as performer and musicologist. Matthew presently lectures at various universities, including London Guildhall University where he held a Leverhulme Research Fellowship.

Jon Banks read music at Exeter College, Oxford, where he also completed a D.Phil on fifteenth-century Italian music. His book 'The Motet as a Formal Type in Northern Italy, c1500' was recently published by Garland Press. Jon performs with the early music/folk group Dragonsfire, sings professionally in various London choirs and is active as a jazz pianist and guitarist with the electronics group Thumbasket.

As well as concert performances, Sirinu have recorded an extensive catalogue of CDs, most notably for the Chandos and Hyperion labels. They have featured in numerous broadcasts for BBC Radio 3, including a four-part series devised, researched and performed by Sirinu, called ‘The Road to Toledo’ which was reviewed by The Guardian as ‘A gorgeous set of programmes...beautifully performed.’ Sirinu were also featured guests on the soundtrack of Aardman Animation’s film ‘Watt’s Pig’.

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