Stile Antico marks its twentieth season by honouring Palestrina, whose quincentenary falls in 2025. Palestrina’s stellar career was inextricably entwined with the Papacy and the great churches of Rome for which he composed.

This programme explores the music he would have sung at the Sistine Chapel, the changes in his style demanded by the Counter-Reformation, his tragic personal life, and his influence on his successors.

The repertoire is sumptuous, including several of Palestrina’s most beloved and timeless motets, gems by other leading composers active in Rome, and a new work by leading British composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad, written especially for this programme.

Programme:

Palestrina Sicut cervus

THE PAPAL CHAPEL
Josquin Salve Regina
Arcadelt Pater noster
Palestrina Tu es Petrus

THE COUNTER-REFORMATION
Palestrina Nigra sum sed Formosa
Victoria Trahe me post te
Palestrina Credo from Missa Papae Marcelli

Short interval

Palestrina Super flumina Babylonis

A TIME OF TURMOIL
Palestrina Peccantem me quotidie
Palestrina Gioia m’abond’al cor
Palestrina Surge propera amica mea

IN PRAISE OF MUSIC
Palestrina Cantantibus organis
Palestrina Exultate Deo
Lassus Musica Dei donum

PALESTRINA’S RICH LEGACY
Anerio Christus factus est
Allegri Christus Resurgens
Cheryl Frances-Hoad New work, commissioned for this programme