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.

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Rochester

Rochester Cathedral

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Exeter

Exeter Cathedral

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Middlesbrough

Saint Mary's RC Cathedral

EPSG:4326

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Hexham

Hexham Abbey

Christus factus est pro nobis

The Sixteen

Emendemus in melius

Assumpta est Maria

Gaude et laetare Ferrariensis civitas

Lead, kindly light

Emendemus in melius 

Rob Macdonald

Events

Upcoming events

Jun 6, 2026

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Rochester · The Sixteen

Jun 11, 2026

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Exeter · The Sixteen

Oct 15, 2026

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Middlesbrough · The Sixteen

Oct 16, 2026

The Choral Pilgrimage 2026: Hexham · The Sixteen

Future and recently performed repertoire

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

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