The Marian Consort explores music of extraordinary beauty and hidden meaning from Renaissance Portugal. Achingly poignant motets by composers living under Habsburg rule and longing for the return of the mythic King Sebastian manifest their political sentiment in their lachrymose texts, or in the case of Duarte Lobo’s Missa Veni Domine, in their suggestive choice of musical model. Also included are works by Vicente Lusitano, whose identity remains largely a mystery – his surname simply means ‘Portuguese’ – but whose status as likely the first published composer of African heritage has ignited interest in recent times in his astonishing music.

Programme

Duarte Lobo Pater Peccavi, Missa Veni Domine, Audivi vocem de caelo

Vicente Lusitano Heu me, Domine, Regina caeli laetare

Estêvão Lopes Morago Commissa mea pavesco, Emendemus in melius

Estêvão de Brito Heu Domine

Filipe de Magalhaes Commissa mea pavesco

Aires Fernandez Circumdederunt me dolores mortis

Manuel Cardoso Lamentations for Maundy Thursday

GP da Palestrina Adoramus te