Upcoming performances

Cambridge, 10 October 2025

The Marian Consort presents a programme of extraordinary beauty and hidden meaning from Renaissance Portugal. This rich polyphonic music is as expressive as it is politically charged: written under the rule of the Spanish Habsburgs from 1580 to 1640, music by Duarte Lobo (c1565-1646) and Manuel Cardoso (1566-1650) set texts of mourning and lamentation, longing for an end to foreign rule and yearning for the restoration of a Portuguese monarchy. Also included are pieces by Vicente Lusitano, whose identity remains largely a mystery (his surname simply means ‘Portuguese’) and whose status as likely the first published composer of African heritage has ignited new interest in his astonishing music.

Led by founder and director Rory McCleery, The Marian Consort is an award-winning British vocal ensemble that presents bold and thrilling performances of music from across the centuries. Distinguished by its intimate approach, clarity of texture and subtlety of interpretation, the ensemble features regularly on UK and international television and radio, including BBC Two’s recent flagship documentary series ‘Art That Made Us’. They have released fourteen recordings to critical acclaim, garnering a variety of accolades and awards including the Diapason D’Or, Presto Classical Album of the Year and the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik.

Programme:

Pater peccavi - Music from Renaissance Portugal

Estêvão de Brito - Heu Domine

Duarte Lobo - Pater Peccavi

Vicente Lusitano - Heu me, Domine

Duarte Lobo - Kyrie, from Missa Veni Domine

Filipe de Magalhaes - Commissa mea pavesco

Aires Fernandez - Circumdederunt me dolores mortis

Manuel Cardoso - Lamentations for Maundy Thursday

Duarte Lobo - Gloria, from Missa Veni Domine

Estêvão Lopes Morago - Commissa mea pavesco 

Duarte Lobo - Sanctus from Missa Veni Domine

GP da Palestrina - Adoramus te

Duarte Lobo - Benedictus, from Missa Veni Domine

Estêvão Lopes Morago - Emendemus in melius

Vicente Lusitano - Regina caeli laetare

Manuel Cardoso - Agnus Dei from Missa Tradent enim vos

Duarte Lobo - Audivi vocem de caelo