In 1738 the violinist Michael Christian Festing saw two poverty-stricken young boys dragging donkeys along a busy London street. Recognising them as the sons of a fellow oboe player who had recently died, Festing was inspired to establish a ‘Fund for Decay’d Musicians’, supported by hundreds of his musical colleagues. Innovative period-instrument group Ensemble Hesperi is joined by rising-star soprano Claire Ward for a programme that celebrates the founding of this remarkable organisation, which still supports musicians in need today as the Royal Society of Musicians. Alongside stories of the men, women and children who benefited from the fund, this unique programme features chamber and vocal works by composers who signed the founding declaration, including some of the greatest musicians of the day: George Frederick Handel, Festing himself, William Boyce, Thomas Arne and John Hebden of York.