Following the success last September of their Masque for Mary, Queen of Scots, the voices of the Highland early music choir Musick Fyne are to join forces with members of the instrumental consort Coronach in two performances of a programme entitled The Triumphs of Oriana.

A remarkable collection of madrigals entitled The Triumphs of Oriana, compiled by Thomas Morley and composed by all the greatest musicians in England was published in 1601, possibly in association with the birthday of the aging Elizabeth I.

Certainly she features in thinly disguised references in the words as the magnificent Oriana, and while each of the texts celebrates different attributes of the Virgin Queen, they all end with the phrase "Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana, Long live fair Oriana"

Also featured in this lavish Elizabethan birthday celebration will be consort music by one of Elizabeth's finest court composers, Anthony Holborne, which will be played on instruments of the time by the Highland consort Coronach. In several recent performances Coronach have collaborated with the dancers of Danse Ecosse, an Inverness-based dance group specialising in costumed performances of the complex and visually stunning dances of the Renaissance.

Dancing was one of Elizabeth's many accomplishments, and Danse Ecosse will be joining Coronach and Musick Fyne to present some of Elizabeth's favourite courtly dances, such as the Queen's Almain, the Earl of Essex's Measure and the ubiquitous pavane and galliard.

There are to be two performances of The Triumphs of Oriana, on Friday 28th September at 8pm in Strathpeffer Pavilion and on Saturday 29th September at 8pm in the Universal Hall, Findhorn. Tickets for both performances will be on sale at the door - details for advance booking are on www.coronach.co.uk