2022–2023 Season
Stile Antico
Friday, April 28, 2023
8pm | St. Paul Church, Cambridge
VIRTUAL PREMIERE: Friday, May 12, 2023 at 8pm (ET)
Available to watch until May 26, 2023 at 11:59pm (ET)
England’s Nightingale: Music of William Byrd
A favorite of BEMF audiences for more than a decade, the intensely collaborative singers of Stile Antico have established themselves as one of the world’s most vibrant and expressive vocal ensemles. They return for a season finale honoring the 400th anniversary of the death of William Byrd, one of the most extraordinary composers England has ever produced. Their program weaves together the strands of Byrd’s complex life as both pillar of the Protestant musical establishment and faithful servant of the Catholic underground with some of the composer’s most beloved works alongside lesser-known gems by his pupils Thomas Morley, Peter Philips, and Thomas Tomkins.
Returing to in-person concerts over the last year has been both an honor and responsibility. As the global pandemic evolves, our response will continue to adapt. The health and safety of our audience, employees, and artists remains our highest priority. Out of concern for those in our community who are still vulnerable, some COVID-19 protocols will stay in place for the coming season.
“There are no finer singers of early music.”
Pre-Concert Talk
In lieu of Pre-Concert Talks at the venue, we will present online Pre-Concert Videos with informative discussions featuring scholars and artists the week before each program—FREE to watch on YouTube or at BEMF.org.
Program
Byrd: Emendemus in Melius
Byrd: This sweet and merry month a 6
Byrd: O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth
Byrd: Sing joyfully
Byrd: Nunc Dimittis from ‘Great Service’
Byrd: Vide Domine afflictionem
Byrd: Haec dies quam fecit Dominum
Byrd: Ne irascaris, Domine
Byrd: Retire my soul
Byrd: Ave verum corpus
Byrd: Laudate Dominum, omnes gentes
Byrd: Optimam partem elegit
Byrd: Factus est repente
Byrd: Agnus Dei from 4-part mass
Morley: Domine Dominus noster
Philips: Ecce vicit Leo
Tomkins: Too much I once lamented
Byrd: Laudibus in sanctis