The Sixteen, Harry Christophers

Programme:
Allegri - Miserere
Victoria - Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday 1-6
Josquin - Pater noster; Ave Maria
Anerio - Gloria from Missa In lectulo meo
Victoria - Salve Regina

The composers in this programme have something in common: they all performed, or had their music performed in the Sistine Chapel during the ‘golden age’ of the Renaissance.

In January 1555 Palestrina was admitted to the Sistine Chapel Choir, and the following year Pius IV appointed him as the official papal composer. In 1594, Felice Anerio succeeded Palestrina as the papal composer. The famed Allegri Miserere is presented here in a ‘new’ version that charts the evolution of the piece over the years.

If you visit the chapel today, you will see amongst the ancient graffiti in the singers’ gallery the signature of Josquin de Prez, 500 years on.