The Choral Pilgrimage 2015 Flight of Angels Music by two masters of the Spanish Renaissance Francisco Guerrero • Alonso Lobo
The Choral Pilgrimage 2015 For our 15th Choral Pilgrimage, we are going to explore the wealth of Renaissance music emanating from Spain and in particular, the glorious city of Seville. In the 16th century, Spain was regarded as the most influential country in Europe, truly imperial with the acquisition of vast new lands in the Americas, a plethora of universities and a wealth of great art and music. Two of the most influential composers of the Renaissance, who spent their life in Spain and for many years in the service of Seville Cathedral, were Francisco Guerrero and Alonso Lobo, master and disciple. There are surely few composers who can boast a pilgrimage to the Holy Land; Guerrero made his in 1558 and published a book about his incredible journey. He was reputed to have been a person of gentleness and charm and in possession of a beautiful high tenor voice, and it is that singing quality that comes across in his works - every line is a joy to sing. The acclaimed music scholar Robert Stevenson wrote that the moods he captured included ecstasy, gaiety, melancholy, longing, submission and repose, many of which are captured in ‘Agnus Dei I and II’ from his Missa Congratulamini mihi. Lobo was a choirboy at Seville Cathedral where Guerrero was maestro de capella. His eight-part setting of Ave Maria is a technical tour de force, but one which in no way impedes its rich sonority and sheer beauty. However there is a single work, that in my opinion makes Lobo deserving of a lasting reputation, and that is Versa est in luctum. Written for the obsequies of Philip II in 1598, it is not only contemplative but also daring, with one of the most heartfelt dissonances I know in Renaissance music. Both Guerrero and Lobo’s works were performed for nearly two centuries after their deaths, in cathedrals throughout Spain, Portugal and the New World. Let us ensure today that they can achieve the same renown.
Concert programme Guerrero Duo Seraphim A. Lobo Kyrie from Missa Maria Magdalene A. Lobo Libera me Guerrero Gloria from Missa Surge propera Guerrero Laudate Dominum Guerrero Maria Magdalene INTERVAL Guerrero Credo from Missa de la batalla escoutez Guerrero Vexilla Regis A. Lobo Ave Regina coelorum A. Lobo Ave Maria A. Lobo Versa est in luctum Guerrero Agnus Dei I and II from Missa Congratulamini mihi 2
Find us on:
Tour Dates and Locations APR
Wednesday 8 8.00pm
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford 4 Local Box Office: Tickets Oxford 01865 305305
Friday 10 7.30pm
St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge Local Box Office: Cambridge Arts Theatre 01223 503333
MAY
Wednesday 20 7.30pm
Thursday 21 7.30pm
Old Royal Naval College Chapel, Greenwich 4 National Box Office only: 01904 651485 Exeter Cathedral 4 4
Friday 22 7.30pm
Saturday 23 8.00pm
Tuesday 26 7.30pm Thursday 28 7.30pm
Friday 29 7.30pm
JUN
Wednesday 10 7.30pm
Friday 12 7.30pm
Saturday 13 7.30pm
Tuesday 30 7.30pm JUL Wednesday 8 7.30pm
Thursday 9 7.30pm
Friday 10 7.30pm
Local Box Office: Exeter Phoenix 01392 667080 Truro Cathedral 4 Local Box Office: Hall for Cornwall 01872 262466 Llandaff Cathedral Local Box Office: St David’s Hall 029 2087 8444 St John’s Kirk of Perth 4 Exclusive Box Office: 01738 621031 (booking opens on Monday 30 March) Church of St James the Greater, Leicester 4 4 Exclusive Box Office: 0116 254 2111 (tickets already on sale) Rochester Cathedral 4 Local Box Office: Medway Information Centre 01634 338141 Croydon Minster Local Box Office: Minster Shop 020 8688 8104 Peterborough Cathedral 4 4 Local Box Office: Visitor Information Centre 01733 452336 Coventry Cathedral 4 Local Box Office: Cathedral Shop 024 7652 1210 Ardingly College 4 Exclusive Box Office: 01444 893230 Conducted by Eamonn Dougan York Minster 4 4 National Box Office only: 01904 651485 (booking opens on Monday 9 March) Lancaster Priory 4 National Box Office only: 01904 651485 Carlisle Cathedral 4 Local Box Office: Town Hall Tourist Information 01228 598596 3
www.thesixteen.com SEP
Friday 4 7.30pm
Saturday 5 7.30pm
Thursday 10 7.30pm
Friday 11 7.30pm
Saturday 12 7.30pm
Thursday 17 7.30pm
Friday 18 7.30pm
Saturday 19 7.30pm
OCT Monday 5 7.30pm Thursday 8 7.30pm
National Box Office: 01904 651485
Winchester Cathedral 4 Local Box Office: Cathedral 01962 857275 St Albans Cathedral 4 4 Local Box Office: Cathedral 01727 890290 Canterbury Cathedral 4 Local Box Office: Marlowe Theatre 01227 787787 Wells Cathedral 4 Local Box Office: Cathedral Shop 01749 672773 Tewkesbury Abbey 4 Local Box Office: Abbey Shop 01684 856148 Southwell Minster 4 Local Box Office: Cathedral Shop 01636 812933 Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Local Box Office: Cathedral Shop 0151 707 3525 Blackburn Cathedral 4 4 Local Box Office: King George’s Hall 01254 582 579 City Church, Milton Keynes 4 Local Box Office: Church Office 01908 246486 Conducted by Eamonn Dougan Kings Place 4 4 Exclusive Box Office: 020 7520 1490 (booking opens on Monday 5 January)
Wednesday 21 8.00pm
Ealing Abbey National Box Office only: 01904 651485 Conducted by Eamonn Dougan
Thursday 22 7.30pm
Holy Trinity Church, Hull Local Box Office: www.holytrinityhull.com Conducted by Eamonn Dougan Durham Cathedral 4
Friday 23 7.30pm
Saturday 24 7.30pm
NOV Saturday 7 7.30pm
Local Box Office: Gala Theatre 03000 266600 Greyfriars Kirk, Edinburgh 4 Local Box Office: Queen’s Hall 0131 668 2019 Chelmsford Cathedral 4 4 Exclusive Box Office: 0333 666 3366 (booking opens on Thursday 2 April)
Key: 4 R eserved seating (excluding side aisles) 4 P re-concert talk 4 C oncert not promoted by The Sixteen Doors generally open 30 minutes before the concert start time, or 30 minutes before a pre-concert talk (may vary for concerts not promoted by The Sixteen). 4
Engage and Explore Pre-concert Talks Many concerts include a free pre-concert talk with Harry Christophers and a member of The Sixteen. These last for approximately 15 minutes and explore the context and performance practice of the repertoire. Concerts offering these talks are marked in the diary listings overleaf.
Choral Workshops A rare and rewarding opportunity for keen amateur singers to explore the glorious music of Francisco Guerrero and Alonso Lobo, under the expert guidance of Associate Conductor Eamonn Dougan and soprano and practical scholar Sally Dunkley. Workshops include vocal technique, performance interpretation and historical context. Saturday 21 March Saturday 16 May Saturday 30 May Saturday 5 September Saturday 12 September
Oxford London Peterborough* St Albans* Tewkesbury
Monday 14 September Saturday 19 September Saturday 17 October Saturday 24 October Saturday 7 November
London Blackburn Hull* Edinburgh Chelmsford
*Conducted by Justin Doyle
How to book Booking opens at 10am on Saturday 19 January 2015 (except Chelmsford which opens on Thursday 2 April 2015). Workshop tickets are £30 which includes sheet music and refreshments. Concessions are available for under 18’s, jobseekers and students. Workshop bookers are entitled to a £5 discount for any Choral Pilgrimage concert promoted by The Sixteen (workshop place must be booked first). Booking: Online at www.thesixteeneducation.com or by phone on 020 7936 3420.
Insight Day: Wednesday 8 July, York Whether you are new to the Choral Pilgrimage repertoire or want to expand your existing knowledge, our Insight Day provides a fascinating exploration into the stories behind the music. • Join Sally Dunkley and a leading guest musicologist for talks, debate and discussion. • Discover the rich history behind the Choral Pilgrimage repertoire. • Experience at close-hand, intimate performances from a consort of Sixteen singers. Tickets cost £25 (including refreshments and a light lunch) or £20 if booked with a Choral Pilgrimage concert promoted by The Sixteen. Tickets can be booked through our National Box Office on 01904 651485.
Tour CD: Flight of Angels
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This new CD featuring all the music from The Choral Pilgrimage 2015 will be released in February and will be available to purchase at all Choral Pilgrimage concerts and from our website. For further details and to pre-order your copy (from 5 January 2015) visit www.thesixteen.com.
Booking Information How to book Patrons priority booking opens on Monday 12 January 2015* General booking opens on Monday 19 January 2015* *unless otherwise stated in the diary listing
Tickets can be booked through our National Box Office at www.ncem.co.uk/thesixteen or on 01904 651485. Exceptions apply where the diary listing is marked ‘Exclusive Box Office’. Local Box Offices are also available for most venues.
Ticket prices For ticket prices please call the box office or visit www.thesixteen.com
Concessions A 50% discount is available for the following groups: • Registered disabled (plus one companion) • Those aged 18 and under • Jobseekers (proof of eligibility will be required on the door) • Students (proof of eligibility will be required on the door) A 10% discount is available for groups of 10 or more. All discounts are subject to availability and only one discount can be applied per transaction. Concession rates for concerts not promoted by The Sixteen may vary.
Exchanges and refunds Tickets for concerts and choral workshops cannot be exchanged or refunded except in the event of a cancellation. The National Centre for Early Music acts as an agent for The Sixteen. Third party contact information (postal and email addresses) recorded by the NCEM is passed on to The Sixteen for use in future mailings. If you do not wish this information to be passed on please say when booking. With grateful thanks to all our supporters and sponsors.
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The John Coates Charitable Trust
All information is correct at the time of going to press. The Sixteen Ltd. Registered in England No. 1930741 at Quadrant House, 10 Fleet Street, London EC4Y 1AU. General enquiries: 020 7936 3420. Email: info@thesixteen.com. Registered Charity No. 326917 Photo credits: cover and throughout; Annunciation, El Greco, 1541-1614, Bridgeman Images.
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Dunard Fund