Canticum celebrates two of our greatest sovereigns, Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Elizabeth II, with a programme of music composed during their reigns.  The first par, settings of sacred texts, is based on Byrd’s Mass for five voices.  It also includes two contemporary pieces, by Roxanna Panufnik and James MacMillan, the first inspired by the Kyrie of Byrd’s Mass, the second by Tallis’s motet O nata lux.

Part 2, of secular music, features three madrigals from The Triumphs of Oriana, published in 1601 as a tribute to the first Elizabeth, the three songs for mixed voices, by Vaughan Williams, Tippett and Ireland, from its 20th century counterpart, A Garland for the Queen.  This collection was commissioned to celebrate the coronation of the second Elizabeh in 1953, as was Britten’s opera, Gloriana, whose six Choral Dances conclude the programme.  

Vaughan Williams – O taste and see                     

Byrd – Kyrie (5-part Mass)                                       

Roxanna Panufnik – Kyrie after Byrd                       

Byrd – Gloria                                                               

Tallis – O nata lux                                                      

James MacMillan – O radiant dawn                       

Byrd – Sanctus & Benedictus                                   

Morley – Nolo mortem peccatoris                          

Byrd – Agnus Dei                                                        

Harvey – Come Holy Ghost                                        

INTERVAL             

Wilbye – The Lady Oriana                                        

Vaughan Williams – Silence and Music                  

Marson – The Nimphs and shepherds danced     

Tippett – Dance, Clarion Air                                     

Dowland – Flow my tears                                        

Ireland – The Hills                                                      

Johnson – Come blessed bird                                  

Britten – Choral Dances from Gloriana