If you haven’t heard Tallis’ 40-part motet Spem in alium performed live before, book tickets for Douai Abbey
THE next Music at Douai concert, on Sunday, June 16 (3.30pm), is the beautiful Thomas Tallis: Spem in alium sung by Paragon Singers from Bath and Het Lelikoor from Amsterdam.
“It will take full advantage of our special space,” said Music at Douai organiser Fr Oliver.
“Spem in alium is the 40-part motet written in c 1570 – that’s right, 40 different vocal lines; eight choirs of five voices each!
“It has been performed at Douai two or three times before.”
If you haven’t heard the work before, have a listen to this YouTube performance by the choir of Strasbourg Cathedral: https://tinyurl.com/msud9wfx
“This should whet your appetite, but of course will not compare with the experience of a live performance.
“This will be given by Paragon Singers who come from Bath and are conducted by Sarah Latto, who has brought another choir to Douai a few years ago, Glass Ensemble.”
They will be joined by a choir from Amsterdam, conducted by JanJoost van Elburg who was conductor of Reading Bach Choir from 2003 to 2010 and who has conducted them at Douai on various occasions. He also brought another of his choirs, the Bartholomew Consort, to Douai in the past.
The programme will also include music by Bruckner, Herbert Howells, Roxanna Panufnik and Sweelinck together with pieces by Dutch and Flemish composers.
More details on their websites:
www.paragonsingers.co.uk and www.hetlelikoor.nl
Tickets are £15 (students £5) from https://tinyurl.com/bdhn4x64
Another Douai date for the diary is Saturday, June 29, at 7.30pm when Newbury Choral Society perform Great Cathedral Anthems.
The programme includes music by Wesley, Parry, Elgar, Bairstow, Beach and Dove
Tickets at £15, (under-16s £5) from WeGotTickets: https://tinyurl.com/bdhn4x64