Spanish Vespers
CHAMBER WEEKENDER Two-day format
Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th October 2025
St Barnabas Church, Pimlico, London SW1W 8PF
Directed by Scott Inglis-Kidger
This Chamber Weekender brings together a reconstructed Vespers drawn from the works of Spain’s most distinguished Renaissance composers, many of whom knew, influenced, or were aware of each other’s music. Tomás Luis de Victoria, the only Spanish composer of his generation to work extensively in Rome, returned to Madrid bringing the rich polyphonic traditions of Palestrina’s circle. Cristóbal de Morales, a generation earlier, had already paved the way for Spanish musicians in Italy, serving at the Papal Chapel and becoming one of the most widely published composers of his time. Francisco Guerrero, who studied with Morales, was based in Seville and maintained a vast network of contacts, with his music circulating across Europe and the New World.
Alongside them we feature Diego Ortiz, whose tenure in Naples placed him at the crossroads of Spanish and Italian styles; Juan Navarro, who sang under Morales in Marchena; and Juan de Esquivel Barahona, his student, who kept the polyphonic tradition alive in Salamanca into the early 17th century. Together, these composers shaped a musical landscape that was both distinctly Spanish and deeply connected to the wider European Renaissance.
Sung in sequence, their works form a complete Vespers service — a snapshot of the grandeur and devotional life of Spain’s cathedrals at the height of its musical Golden Age.
What are these weekends all about?
Our Chamber Weekenders are our most tailored and immersive offering, and are designed to challenge and stimulate experienced choral singers in a chamber setting (around 20 people). They are best suited to those who enjoy singing to a high level and feel confident in chamber-sized groups. Therefore diligent preparation and/or solid sight-reading is expected.
Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611)
Deus in adjutorium
Ave Maris Stella
Diego Ortiz (1510-1570)
Dixit Dominus
Juan de Esquivel Barahona (c1563-c1614)
Duo seraphim a6
Juan Miguel Navarro (c1530-1580)
Lauda Jerusalem
Cristóbal de Morales (c1500-1553)
Sancta Maria, succurre miseris
Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599)
Magnificat Quarti Toni a6
SCORES
Download and print HERE. Please note we will not be providing hard copies.
SCHEDULE
Saturday 25th October
11:00 - Day 1 registration & welcome reception at St Barnabas Church
11:30 - Session 1
13:00 - Lunch (not included)
14:00 - Session 2
15:30 - Break (refreshments included)
16:00 - Session 3
17:00 onwards - Choir social time and optional choir dinner (dinner not included - please register your interest when booking)
Sunday 26th October
14:30 - Day 2 registration
14:45 - Session 4
16:15 - Break (refreshments included)
16:45 - Informal sing-through (guests welcome)
17:30 - Prosecco closing reception
18:00 - End
JUST GIVING
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