The Prince of Music
Palestrina in the Eternal City
2025 marks half a millennium since the birth of Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina - one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance. His career was inextricably entwined with the Papacy and the great churches of Rome.
Renowned vocal ensemble Stile Antico present a programme exploring music Palestrina would have sung at the Sistine Chapel, the changes in his style demanded by the Counter-Reformation, his tragic personal life, and his influence on his successors. The sumptuous repertoire includes several of Palestrina’s most beloved and timeless motets, gems by other composers active in Rome, and the UK premiere of a new work by Cheryl Frances-Hoad written especially for this programme.
The concert also celebrates the release of Stile Antico’s latest album on the Decca Classics label: The Golden Renaissance: Palestrina.
Programme:
Palestrina: Sicut cervus
The Papal Chapel
Josquin: Salve Regina
Arcadelt: Pater noster
Palestrina: Tu es Petrus
The Counter-Reformation
Palestrina: Nigra sum sed Formosa
Victoria: Trahe me post te
Palestrina: Credo from Missa Papae Marcelli
Interval
Palestrina: Super flumina Babylonis
A time of turmoil
Palestrina: Peccantem me quotidie
Palestrina: Gioia m'abond'al cor
Palestrina: Surge propera amica mea
In praise of music
Palestrina: Cantantibus organis
Palestrina: Exultate Deo
Lassus: Musica Dei donum
Palestrina's rich legacy
Anerio: Christus factus est
Allegri: Christus Resurgens
Frances-Hoad: UK premiere of a new work
Palestrina: Laudate Dominum a 12
The performance lasts approximately 2 hours
"The singing is staggeringly beautiful"
The Sunday Times"It’s never a good idea to miss a concert from this British vocal ensemble: There are no finer singers of early music"
New York Times"Often intricate in argument, sometimes impassioned, sometimes mercurial, always compelling in its authority"
The Spectator - on Cheryl Frances-Hoad