The Gesualdo Six: The Wishing Tree – Auckland Arts Festival 2023

The Gesualdo Six:

The Wishing Tree

Holy Trinity Cathedral, Parnell 15 March 2023

The Gesualdo Six:

The Wishing Tree

From the roots of choral singing to the flowering of a tradition.

The Gesualdo Six present an exhibition of some of the finest vocal consort works in a varied sequence that is sure to inspire and delight audiences alike. The theme of ‘courage’ is explored through different lenses: witness sacred music from the renaissance in Europe, written at a time of great change, fuelled by religious division. Works by Byrd and Tomkins that contain startling harmonic shifts and expressive word painting are performed alongside those from the deplorations tradition of the Oltremontani, composers who travelled ‘over the mountains’ to Italy to seek pedagogy and patronage. Later in the programme, works by composers from this same school trace the evolution of the madrigal form, leading to a selection of contemporary pieces which reinvent these old compositional techniques.

PROGRAMME

Te lucis ante terminum Thomas Tallis

Ave verum corpus William Byrd

Afflicti pro peccatis nostris William Byrd

Ah, gentle Jesu Sheryngham

Nymphes des bois Josquin des Prez

Mille Regretz Josquin des Prez

Tous les Regretz Antoine Brumel

When David heard Thomas Tomkins

Vigilate William Byrd

~ Interval ~

Potrò viver io più se senza luce Luca Marenzio

Io son ferito, ahi lasso G.P. da Palestrina

Asciugate i begli occhi Carlo Gesualdo

Il bianco e dolce cigno Jacques Arcadelt

The Silver Swan Orlando Gibbons

The Wishing Tree Joby Talbot

The Wind’s Warning Alison Willis

O Little Rose Gerda Blok-Wilson

The Lobster Quadrille (from Nonsense Madrigals)

György Ligeti

PERFORMERS

Countertenor

Guy James

Tenor

Joseph Wicks

Tenor

Josh Cooter

Baritone

Michael Craddock

THE GESUALDO SIX is an award-winning British vocal ensemble comprising some of the UK’s finest consort singers, directed by Owain Park. Praised for their imaginative programming and impeccable blend, the ensemble formed in 2014 for a performance of Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories in Cambridge and has gone on to perform at numerous major festivals across the UK, Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Notable highlights include a concert in the distinguished Deutschlandradio Debut Series, performances at Wigmore Hall in London and Miller Theatre in New York, and collaborations with Fretwork, the Brodsky Quartet, London Mozart Players, Luxmuralis, William Barton and Matilda Lloyd.

The ensemble integrates educational work into its activities, regularly holding workshops for young musicians and composers. The Gesualdo Six has curated two Composition Competitions, with the 2019 edition attracting entries from over three hundred composers around the world. The group have recently commissioned new works from Joanna Ward, Kerensa Briggs, Deborah Pritchard, Joanna Marsh, Shruthi Rajasekar, and Richard Barnard alongside coronasolfège for 6 by Héloïse Werner.

Videos of the ensemble performing a diverse selection of works filmed in Ely Cathedral have been watched by millions online. The group released their debut recording English Motets on Hyperion Records in early 2018 to critical acclaim, followed by a festive album of seasonal favourites in late 2019, Christmas; an album of compline-themed music titled Fading; a disc exploring pedagogy and patronage around courts in Renaissance Italy, Josquin’s Legacy; an album exploring the darkness and shadows of Holy Week, Carlo Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories for Maundy Thursday; and Lux aeterna in 2022, illustrating musical responses to grief.

Bass

Sam Mitchell

Bass / Director

Owain Park

Special Guests

Seumanu Simon Matāfai and the Auckland Gospel Choir

OWAIN PARK was born in Bristol in 1993. As well as directing The Gesualdo Six, he maintains a busy schedule of conducting projects with ensembles including London Mozart Players, Southbank Sinfonia, the Academy of Ancient Music and Cappella Cracoviensis. Owain is Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers and formerly Musical Director of Cambridge Chorale.

Park’s compositions are published by Novello and have been performed internationally by ensembles including the Tallis Scholars and the Aurora Orchestra. While at Cambridge University he studied orchestration with John Rutter, before undertaking a Masters degree in composition. He is composer-in-residence for the London Choral Sinfonia, and was one of BBC Radio 3’s 31 under 31 Young Stars 2020. The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge recorded an album of his compositions which was nominated for the BBC Music Magazine Awards in 2019.

The Epiphoni Consort released an album of his secular choral works titled When Love speaks in 2020.

Park is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO), and was awarded the Dixon Prize for improvisation, having been Senior Organ Scholar at Wells Cathedral and Trinity College Cambridge. He was a Tenebrae Associate Artist for two seasons, and has worked with ensembles including The Sixteen, Gabrieli Consort and Polyphony.

1. TE LUCIS ANTE TERMINUM

Music

by Thomas Tallis

Te lucis ante terminum, Rerum Creator, poscimus, Ut pro tua clementia, Sis praesul et custodia.

Procul recedant somnia, Et noctium phantasmata: Hostemque nostrum comprime, Ne polluantur corpora.

Praesta, Pater piissime, Patrique compar Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito, Regnans per omne saeculum. Amen.

Thee, Lord, before the close of day, Maker of all things, Thee we pray For Thy dear loving kindness’ sake To guard and guide us in Thy way.

Banish the dreams that terrify, And night’s fantastic company: Keep us from Satan’s tyranny: Defend us from unchastity.

Protect us, Father, God adored, Thou too, co-equal Son and Lord, Thou, Holy Ghost, our Advocate, Whose reign can know nor bound nor date. Amen.

2. AVE VERUM CORPUS

Music

by William Byrd

Ave verum corpus natum de Maria Virgine: vere passum, immolatum in cruce pro homine: cuius latus perforatum unda fluxit sanguine: esto nobis praegustatum, in mortis examine.

O dulcis, O pie, O Jesu Fili Mariae.Miserere mei. Amen.

Hail the true body, born of the Virgin Mary: You who truly suffered and were sacrificed on the cross for the sake of man. From whose pierced flank flowed water and blood: Be a foretaste for us in the trial of death.

O sweet, O merciful, O Jesus, Son of Mary. Have mercy on me. Amen.

PROGRAMME – TEXTS & ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

3. AFFLICTI PRO PECCATIS NOSTRIS Music by William Byrd

Afflicti pro peccatis nostris, quotidie cum lacrimis expectemus finem nostrum: Dolor cordis nostri ascendat ad te Domine.

Ut eruas nos a malis qui innovantur in nobis.

Afflicted by our sins, each day with tears we look forward to our end: The sorrow in our hearts rises to thee, O Lord.

That you may deliver us from those evils that originate within us.

4. AH, GENTLE JESU Music by Sheryngham

Ah, gentle Jesu, who is that, that doth me call?

I, a sinner, that oft doth fall. What woud śt thou have?

Mercy, Lord of thee I crave

Why, lov’st thou me?

Yea, my Maker I call thee. Then leave thy sin, or I nill thee, And think on this lesson that now I teach thee.

Ah I will, I will, gentle Jesu

Upon the cross I mailed I was for thee, Suffered death to pay thy ransom;

Forsake thy sin, man, for the love of me

Be repentant, make plain confessions; To contrite hearts I do remission;

Be not despaired, for I am not vengeable; Gain ghostly en’mies think on my passion;

Why art thou froward, sith I am merciable

Ah, gentle Jesu!

My bloody woundes down railing by this tree, Look on them well and have compassion; The crown of thorn, the spear, the nailes three Pierced hand and foot of indignation, My heart riven for thy redemption;

Let now us twain, in this thing be treatable:

Love for love by just convention;

Why art thou froward, sith I am merciable

Ah, gentle Jesu!

PROGRAMME – TEXTS & ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

5. NYMPHES DES BOIS

Music by Josquin des Prez

Nymphes des bois, déesses des fontaines, Chantres expers de toutes nations, Changez voz voix fort clères et haultaines En cris tranchantz et lamentations. Car d’Atropos tres terrible satrape

Vostr’Okeghem a trape en sa trape, Le vray trésoir de musique’et chief d’oeuvre, (Qui de trépas désormais plus n’eschappe,) Dont grant doumaige’est que la terre coeuvre. Acoutrez vous d’abitz de deuil, Josquin, Perchon, Brumel, Compère, Et plorez grosses larmes d’oeil; Perdu avez vostre bon père.

REQUIESCAT IN PACE. AMEN.

Requiem aeternam dona eis Domine et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Nymphes of the woods, goddesses of the fountains singers renowned across all nations, turn your voices most clear and high to piercing cries and laments. Because Atropos, the terrible satrape, Has caught your Ockeghem in her trap, the true treasure and masterpiece of music, (who from death no longer escapes,) for whom great mourning covers the earth. Put on your clothes of mourning, Josquin, Perchon, Brumel, Compère, and weep great tears from your eyes; you have lost your good father.

MAY HE REST IN PEACE. AMEN.

Give them eternal rest, Lord, and let perpetual light shine on them.

6. MILLE REGRETZ Music

by Josquin des Prez

Mille regretz de vous abandonner

Et d’eslonger vostre fache amoureuse, Jay si grand dueil et paine douloureuse, Quon me verra brief mes jours definer.

A thousand regrets at deserting you and leaving behind your loving face, I feel so much sadness and such painful distress, that it seems to me my days will soon dwindle away.

7. TOUS LES REGRETZ Music

by Antoine Brumel

Tous les regretz quonques furent au monde, de Venez a moy Quelque part que je soie. prennez mon cueur En sa dolleur, leur par fonde et le fendes que madame le voye.

All the sadness that has ever been of this world, Come hither to me, wherever I may be. Take my heart in its deep grief And cleave it in twain when suddenly I see her.

8. WHEN DAVID HEARD

Music by Thomas Tomkins

When David heard that Absalom was slain

He went up into his chamber over the gate and wept, and thus he said: my son, my son, O Absalom my son, would God I had died for thee!

9. VIGILATE

Music by William Byrd

Vigilate, nescitis enim quando dominus domus veniat, sero, an media nocte, an gallicantu, an mane.

Vigilate ergo, ne cum venerit repente, inveniat vos dormientes. Quod autem dico vobis, omnibus dico: vigilate.

Watch ye therefore (for you know not when the lord of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cock crowing, or in the morning): Watch therefore, lest coming on a sudden, he find you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch. ~ Interval

10. POTRÒ VIVER IO PIÙ SE SENZA LUCE

Music by Luca Marenzio

Potrò viver io più se senza luce

Rimasto son e se altrove riluce

Del mio bel sol la sua lucente luce?

Ahi, non fia ver, ma copri d’ogni intorno

Oscure nubbi il giorno

E a me la luce cara di questa vita sia per sempre amara, Finche d’un giorno più serena luce

Non meni a gli occhi miei la vera luce.

Would I be able to live any longer if I were left without light, and the shining light of my beautiful sun were to shine elsewhere?

Ah, let it not be true, but cover the day with dark clouds, and the dear light of this life will be forever bitter to me, until one day a more serene light will open my eyes to the real light.

PROGRAMME – TEXTS & ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

~

11. IO SON FERITO, AHI LASSO

Music

by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Io son ferito, ahi lasso e chi mi diede accusar pur vorrei, ma non ho prova, che senz’indici al mal non si da fede, ne getta sangue la mia piaga nova. Io spasm’e moro, il colpo non si vede, la mia nemic’armata non si trova, che fia tornar a lei crudel partita che sol m’habbi’a sanar chi m’ha ferito.

I am wounded, alas, and I desire to accuse her who gave it to me, but I have no proof; without evidence of evil, no-one will believe it; nor does my new wound pour forth blood. I shiver and die – the blow cannot be seen. My enemy is armed.

What good would it do to return to her – cruel fate –because only she who wounded me can heal me.

12. ASCIUGATE I BEGLI OCCHI

Music

by Carlo Gesualdo

Asciugate i begli occhi, deh, cor mio, non piangete se lontano da voi gir mi vedete! Ahi, che pianger debb’io misero e sólo, ché partendo da voi m’uccide il duòlo.

13. IL BIANCO E DOLCE CIGNO Music by Jacques

Arcadelt

Il bianco e dolce cigno cantando more, ed io piangendo giung’ al fin del viver mio. Stran’ e diversa sorte, ch’ei more sconsolato ed io moro beato. Morte che nel morire m’empie di gioia tutto e di desire. Se nel morir, altro dolor non sento, di mille mort’ il di sarei contento.

The white and sweet swan dies singing, and I, weeping, reach the end of my life. Strange and different fate, that he dies disconsolate and I die a blessed death, which in dying fills me full of joy and desire. If in dying, were I to feel no other pain, I would be content to die a thousand deaths a day.

Dry those lovely eyes, alas, my beloved, do not weep if you see me wandering far away from you. For, ah, I must weep alone and in misery, because as I part from you, I suffer such bitter pain that my days are numbered.

14. THE SILVER SWAN

Music by Orlando Gibbons

The silver swan, who living had no note, When death approached, unlocked her silent throat; Leaning her breast against the reedy shore, Thus sung her first and last, and sung no more: “Farewell, all joys; Oh death, come close mine eyes; More geese than swans now live, more fools than wise.”

15. THE WISHING TREE

Music by Joby Talbot (b.1971)

Words by Kathleen

Jamie

I stand neither in the wilderness nor fairyland but in the fold of a green hill the tilt from one parish into another. To look at me through a smirr of rain is to taste the iron in your own blood because I hoard the common currency of longing: each wish each secret assignation. My limbs lift, scabbed with greenish coins I draw into my slow wood fleur-de-lys, the enthroned Brittania. Behind me, the land reaches toward the Atlantic. And though I’m poisoned choking on the small change of human hope, daily beaten into me look: I am still alive— in fact, in bud.

16. THE WIND’S WARNING

Music by Alison Willis

Words by Ivor Gurney

All night the fierce wind blew –All night I knew Time, like a dark wind, blowing All days, all lives, all memories Down empty endless skies –A blind wind, strowing Bright leaves of life’s torn tree through blank eternity: Dreadfully swift, Time blew. All night I knew the outrush of its going.

At dawn a thin rain wept. Worn out, I slept And woke to a fair morning. My days were amply long, and I content In their accomplishment –Lost the wind’s warning.

PROGRAMME – TEXTS & ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS

17. O LITTLE ROSE, O DARK ROSE

Music

by Gerda Blok-Wilson

O little rose, O dark rose, With smouldering petals curled, I am the wind that comes for you From the other side of the world.

O little rose, O dark rose, With the hushed and golden heart, I am your bee with burdened wings, Too laden to depart.

O little rose, O dark rose, Your soul a seed of fire, I am the dew that dies in you, In the flame of your desire.

O little rose, O dark rose, The madness of your breath!

I am the moth to drain your sweet, Even though the dregs be death.

O little rose, O dark rose, When the garden day is done I am the dusk that broods o’er you Until the morrow’s sun.

18. THE LOBSTER QUADRILLE

Music by György Ligeti

Words by Lewis Carroll

“Will you walk a little faster?” said a whiting to a snail.

“There’s a porpoise close behind us, and he’s treading on my tail. See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance! They are waiting on the shingle— will you come and join the dance? Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, will you join the dance?

Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance?

“You can really have no notion how delightful it will be, When they take us up and throw us, with the lobsters, out to sea!”

But the snail replied “Too far, too far!” and gave a look askance— Said he thanked the whiting kindly, but he would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, would not join the dance. Would not, could not, would not, could not, could not join the dance.

“What matters it how far we go?” his scaly friend replied.

“There is another shore, you know, upon the other side. The further off from England the nearer is to France— Then turn not pale, beloved snail, but come and join the dance?

Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance? Will you, won’t you, will you, won’t you, won’t you join the dance?”

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki / Auckland Arts Festival (AAF) champions change-making, the environment, ambitious ideas, powerful voices and unique experiences that open our eyes, our hearts and our minds.

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