Singer, composer and arranger Héloïse Werner deserves to be known as a force of nature, such is her power to transform and reimagine music from the past and bring it into harmonious relationship with the music of today. Her latest programme reaches back to O rosa bella, a gem from the mid-1400s attributed to John Dunstaple, and music by the 15th-century Franco-Flemish composer Josquin des Prez, and forward to the French soprano’s own work for voices and cellos.

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Héloïse Werner soprano; Ema Nikolovska mezzo-soprano; Adèle Charvet mezzo-soprano; Karim Sulayman tenor; James Newby baritone; Early Chorus Cello Ensemble

Wigmore Hall

From the roots of choral singing to the flowering of a tradition. Embark on a captivating vocal journey with The Gesualdo Six as the singers curate a collection of exquisite vocal consort pieces. Experience lyrical Renaissance works celebrating nature and love by Byrd and Gibbons. Discover how contemporary composers breathe life into verses by Christina Rossetti and Kathleen Jamie. Immerse yourself in skilful re-imaginings of traditional British folk songs that beautifully tie the sequence together.

The Gesualdo Six

The richly sensual choral music of Renaissance master Orlande de Lassus provides a stunning centrepiece. Music that speaks of love earthly and divine, his motets, masses and madrigals were written over 300 years ago. But they still have the immediacy and intricacy to resonate with us today, especially when heard in the lofty surrounds of stunning chapels, churches and cathedrals.

Daringly designed and stitched in fine detail, they are in fact tailored from scraps of other music, whether Lassus’ own, the music of his revered predecessor Josquin or the monochrome beauty of plainchant.

Masters of Imitation: Stockholm

Tyska kyrkan, Stockholm

Antoine Brumel’s ‘Earthquake’ Mass, Et ecce terrae motus, with its sumptuous scoring for 12 voices and mighty chordal harmonies, provides the frame for The Sixteen’s latest Wigmore Hall programme. Harry Christophers and his matchless choristers include other stirring pieces by some of Renaissance Europe’s greatest sacred composers, including Lassus’s Aurora lucis rutilat for 10 voices and the dark sonorities of Josquin’s motet Praeter rerum seriem

The Sixteen at St James’s, Spanish Place

Collegium Vocale Gent

Church of Saints Simon and Jude

The title of our programme this evening points to its seasonal nature. Every item was written in praise of the Virgin Mary, most famously the Ave Maria and Salve regina. Less often set is Gaude gloriosa (Rejoice, O Glorious Mother of God), which we are thrilled to present as the third panel in a triptych of Marian antiphons commissioned from Matthew Martin. We begin and end with festal settings of the Magnificat, Mary’s universal message of hope, the first in Latin, the second in German.

Josquin des Prez

Events

Upcoming events

Oct 7, 2026

The Sixteen at St James’s, Spanish Place · Wigmore Hall

Nov 3, 2026

Collegium Vocale Gent · Prague Symphony Orchestra

Dec 18, 2026

Hail Mary! · Sinfonia Smith Square

Past events

Jul 17, 2026

Héloïse Werner soprano; Ema Nikolovska mezzo-soprano; Adèle Charvet mezzo-soprano; Karim Sulayman tenor; James Newby baritone; Early Chorus Cello Ensemble · Wigmore Hall

Jul 13, 2026

The Gesualdo Six · Wigmore Hall

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