The Mad Lover Review: Baroque Brilliance and Eccentric Charm 2026

The Mad Lover review: lutenist Thomas Dunford and violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte brought eccentric charm and baroque brilliance to the London Festival of Baroque Music with a programme of John Eccles and his contemporaries.

The performance, their first in London, was part of the week-long festival—the last before a two-year break while Smith Square Hall is refurbished. It balanced freewheeling music-making with precise virtuosity.

What Is The Mad Lover?

The Mad Lover was a 1616 play with incidental music by English composer John Eccles. As Dunford explained, the duo didn’t need to know that—they just liked the title.

It’s a fitting name for a programme that could suit many future collaborations. The two recorded this 75-minute set of Eccles and 17th-century contemporaries back in 2020, but this was its London premiere.

Performance Highlights: From Eccles to Indiana Jones

The hall was set up with a low platform in the centre and the audience on all four sides. The musicians walked in playing, the neck of Dunford’s lute swinging over the audience’s heads, Langlois de Swarte’s violin tone muscular yet sweet.

An Eccles Aire gave way to a sonata by Daniel Purcell, then to an improvisation from Dunford. His improvisations were a highlight—sometimes authentically baroque, sometimes expressing a more modern melancholy.

Dunford also played the troll, throwing in snippets of Indiana Jones or Radiohead to make his colleague laugh. One of his reveries morphed into a familiar repeating pattern, delighting the crowd.

Why This Performance Matters

This concert demonstrated the vitality of the Baroque repertoire when placed in the hands of imaginative performers. It wasn’t a stuffy recital but a living, breathing conversation between past and present.

The duo’s chemistry and willingness to take risks made the music accessible and exciting. It also highlighted the festival’s role in bringing such innovative programming to London audiences before its temporary closure.

Key Takeaways from The Mad Lover

• Eccentric charm: Dunford’s playful improvisations and unexpected quotes added humor and surprise.
• Baroque brilliance: The duo’s virtuosity and expressive depth brought the 17th-century music to life.
• Intimate staging: The central platform and surrounding audience created a immersive experience.
• Festival highlight: This was the last London Festival of Baroque Music before Smith Square Hall’s refurbishment.
• Dynamic partnership: Dunford and Langlois de Swarte’s rapport was palpable and engaging.

Programme and Performance Details

What to Watch Next

With Smith Square Hall closing for refurbishment, Baroque music lovers will need to look for alternative venues and festivals in the coming seasons. The duo’s future collaborations are also eagerly anticipated.

For those who enjoyed this blend of historical performance and modern wit, exploring other Baroque repertoire with a twist is a must. The festival’s legacy of adventurous programming will hopefully continue after the break.

As Baroque music continues to evolve, performers like Dunford and Langlois de Swarte are ensuring its relevance and appeal to new audiences. Their approach—respectful yet irreverent—is a model for engaging younger listeners.

If you’re curious about other Baroque recordings and performances, the Mad Professor Ariwa Sounds Review: Dub Classics Reissued offers a different take on reissued classics, while the Judy Tarling Obituary: Baroque Music Pioneer Dies at 78 pays tribute to a key figure in the field.

For more Baroque opera, see our Pergolesi L'Olimpiade Review: A Baroque Opera Revival and the Pergolesi L’Olimpiade Review: A Baroque Rare Opera Masterpiece. Both highlight the richness of the repertoire.

Orchestral fans might enjoy the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra Review: Schumann Problem Works Shine, which showcases another side of Baroque performance. And for a lighter take, Handel's Amadigi di Gaula Review: Love Island Meets Baroque Opera proves that Baroque can be fun and flirty.