Latin sacred music for Mary Tudor and Elizabeth I

The first half of our programme focuses on music written for the return of Catholicism to England under Mary Tudor. It celebrates the work of the two leading composers of the Chapel Royal under Mary - Tallis and Sheppard as well as music by Tye.

The second half concentrates on the catholic music of William Byrd written during Elizabeth's reign. Byrd had a deep connection to Ingatestone Hall, and had been a student of Tallis as well as a chorister and later Gentleman of the Chapel Royal. We present music from four of his major publications from 1589 to 1607.

Ingatestone Hall is the perfect setting to hear music that was performed there in secret during one of the most turbulent and troubled periods in English history.