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 part comprises settings of sacred texts, arranged around 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 and the second by Tallis’s motet O nata lux.

Part 2 is secular, featuring three madrigals from The Triumphs of Oriana, published in 1601 as a tribute to the first Elizabeth, and 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 Elizabeth in 1953, as was Britten’s opera Gloriana, whose six Choral Dances conclude the programme.

Running time approx 1hr 40 including interval of 20 mins 

Vaughan Williams – O taste and See             

Byrd – Kyrie (5-part Mass)                                 

Roxanna Panufnik – 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 Nymphs and shepherds danced     

Tippett – Dance, Clarion Air                             

Dowland – Flow my tears                                 

Ireland – The Hills                                               

Johnson – Come blessed bird                          

Britten – Choral Dances from Gloriana