The richly sensual choral music of Renaissance master Orlande de Lassus provides a stunning centrepiece to our 2024 pilgrimage programme. Music that speaks of love earthly and divine, his motets, masses and madrigals were written over 300 years ago. But they still have the immediacy and intricacy to resonate with us today, especially when heard in the lofty surrounds of stunning chapels, churches and cathedrals.

Daringly designed and stitched in fine detail, they are in fact tailored from scraps of other music, whether Lassus’ own, the music of his revered predecessor Josquin or the monochrome beauty of plainchant. We will revive this imitation game by commissioning a new piece clothed in material borrowed from Lassus, and wrap it around two exquisite madrigals from Maddalena Casulana. An Italian lutenist and singer, she was the first female composer in the history of western music to have a whole book of her works printed. Something old, something new, something borrowed…

PROGRAMME

plainsong             Lauda Jerusalem Dominum (Psalm 147)  

LASSUS              Osculetur me osculo oris sui 

CASULANA       Morir non puo il mio core

LASSUS              Credo from Missa Osculetur me  

JOSQUIN            Benedicta es caelorum Regina  

LASSUS              Cantai, or piango 

LASSUS              Lauda Jerusalem Dominum  

Interval

CHATELET         Benedicta es caelorum Regina (with si placet parts)  

LASSUS               Salve Regina  a6  

CASULANA       Vagh’ amorosi augelli 

LASSUS              Magnificat Benedicta es caelorum Regina  

Bob CHILCOTT  Lauda Jerusalem Dominum (parody on Cantai, or piango)