Directed by David Allinson

David Allinson writes: This year the early music world has been celebrating the 500th anniversary of Palestrina’s birth. An astonishingly productive composer, he wrote over a hundred settings of the Mass Ordinary (Kyrie, Gloria, etc.), many of which remain unheard and unrecorded today.

For this workshop, we will explore Palestrina’s supreme mastery in the so-called ‘parody’ Mass genre. In this type of setting, the composer bases their Mass on a pre-existing polyphonic model — generally a motet or chanson – expanding and rhapsodising on the source material in each ‘movement’.
This should be a harmonious, varied and enjoyable day of singing that sheds light on some of Palestrina’s loveliest Mass settings.

While final repertoire choices depend on the forces signing up, it is hoped to include a movement from some or all of these Masses: O sacrum convivium, Sicut lilium, O magnum mysterium and Je suis deshéritée – along with the polyphonic source motet or chanson. Divided voice parts are frequently required (especially tenors) so strong singers are encouraged to sign up early so that the desired Masses can be included.

More basses needed!

Altos will be put on a waiting list (unless accompaied by at least one bass).

Online booking form (preferred)

Further details and postal booking form.