A few weeks ago I was so surprised to discover that The Marian Consort was performing in St John’s Church in Silverdale, just round the corner from us! We absolutely love the music of the Marian Consort, so I booked tickets immediately. I still have no idea why this world renown group of Renaissance musicians chose a small village on the Lancashire/Cumbria border to perform, but we are delighted that they did.
What a wonderful evening of music in a rather magical setting. The Marian Consort performed Pater Peccavi - Music from Renaissance Portugal which, in their own words "explores music of extraordinary beauty and hidden meaning from Renaissance Portugal. Achingly poignant motets by composers living under Habsburg rule and longing for the return of the mythic King Sebastian manifest their political sentiment in their lachrymose texts, or in the case of Duarte Lobo’s Missa Veni Domine, in their suggestive choice of musical model. Also included are works by Vicente Lusitano, whose identity remains largely a mystery – his surname simply means ‘Portuguese’ – but whose status as likely the first published composer of African heritage has ignited interest in recent times in his astonishing music."
A fabulous evening's entertainment with the voices soaring to the rafters of the church and thrilling the audience. As ever, we came away with a couple of CDs to add to our collection!