English splendour from the sixteenth century — Tenebrae

Fascinating choral music from an era of religious upheaval

Dive deep into the beauty of the English Renaissance with the beloved choir Tenebrae, conducted by Nigel Short. Experience fascinating choral music by greats such as William Byrd and Thomas Tallis, composed during an era of religious upheaval and artistic flourishing. King Henry VIII proclaimed himself head of the Church of England, breaking away from the authority of the Pope. Thomas Tallis witnessed it from the inner circle. Tenebrae performs this repertoire with ‘full-blooded passion, precise yet never pretentious, highly disciplined yet unaffected and warm’, according to BBC Music. 
  
In the 2024 - 2025 season, Tenebrae impressed audiences with Joby Talbot’s Path of Miracles, written in 2005. Now, the choir returns to the source of the centuries-old English choral tradition with Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices, an intimate mass that reflects personal devotion and quiet resistance. It is framed by motets by Tallis and White. ‘Flawless and ecstatic polyphonic harmonies’, wrote The Times about this top-notch choir.

Choirs 2026/2027
Explore all the concerts by clicking here and listen to the playlist below ⬇️