Singer

Spain’s Siglo de Oro, the Age of Gold, gave rise to some of the greatest sacred choral music of the Renaissance. We devote our latest Choral Pilgrimage to pieces by two outstanding Spanish composers, exploring majestic works by Cristóbal de Morales, famed throughout Europe and in the New World, and the exquisite polyphony of Sebastián de Vivánco, whose intricately crafted counterpoint adorned services at the cathedrals of Ávila and Salamanca during the late 1500s.

Our programme also features spellbinding settings of words by Saint John Henry Newman: Sir James MacMillan’s Nothing in Vain for soloists and double choir and the world premiere of Kerensa Briggs’ Lead, Kindly Light, specially commissioned for the Choral Pilgrimage.

EPSG:4326

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Hexham

Hexham Abbey

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Middlesbrough

Saint Mary's RC Cathedral

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Exeter

Exeter Cathedral

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Rochester

Rochester Cathedral

Monteverdi’s most sensuous and scandalous opera, performed in concert by Laurence Cummings, Academy of Ancient Music and a stellar cast.

Monteverdi: L’incoronazione di Poppea

Barbican Centre

Monteverdi’s most sensuous – and scandalous – opera, performed in concert by Laurence Cummings, Academy of Ancient Music and a stellar cast.
Sex, death, and the most dangerous appetite of all – power. The misdeeds of the Emperor Nero and the rise of his mistress Poppea are supposed to be a cautionary tale. But Monteverdi’s L’incoronazione di Poppea tells the story in music of such drama, such style and such pure, sensuous beauty that it’s hard not to be seduced.

Unknown

Rob Macdonald

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 17, 2026

Monteverdi: L’incoronazione di Poppea · Barbican Centre

Nov 17, 2026

L'incoronazione di Poppea · Academy of Ancient Music

Past events

Oct 16, 2026

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Hexham · The Sixteen

Oct 15, 2026

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Middlesbrough · The Sixteen

Future and recently performed repertoire

Littore / Coro dei Famigliari in L'incoronazione di Poppea by Monteverdi

Academy of Ancient Music

Littore & Coro dei Famigliari in L’incoronazione di Poppea by Monteverdi

Barbican Centre

Singer in Christus factus est pro nobis by Vivanco

The Sixteen

Singer in Emendemus in melius by Morales

The Sixteen

Singer in Assumpta est Maria by Vivanco

The Sixteen

Singer in Gaude et laetare Ferrariensis civitas by Morales

The Sixteen

Singer in Lead, kindly light by Briggs

The Sixteen

Singer in Emendemus in melius by Morales

The Sixteen

About

Rob Macdonald hasn't added a bio