Not just one, but two Spanish kings – Philip II and Philip III – sponsored the publication of a collection of masses in which the only complete work by the Flemish composer Géry de Ghersem (1573-1630) has been preserved. The near-complete loss of Ghersem’s entire oeuvre, including almost two hundred villancicos collected by John IV of Portugal, is a cruel twist of fate. The Missa Ave virgo sanctissima is a sensational piece of music, after all, in which the composer from Tournai piles on the rich textures and luxurious sonority. The seven-part mass, based on the motet Ave virgo sanctissima by Francisco Guerrero, will be coming to Antwerp this summer in Stile Antico’s portfolio. With this programme, that also includes motets by Ghersem’s contemporaries, the leading British ensemble promise to deliver a habitually sumptuous portion of first-rate polyphony.
Program
G. de Ghersem: Missa Ave virgo sanctissima and motets by his contemporaries
Performers
Rachel Ambrose-Evans, Helen Ashby, Kate Ashby, Rebecca Hickey, soprano | Emma Ashby, Cara Curran, Rosie Parker, alto | Thomas Castle, Andrew Griffiths, Jonathan Hanley, tenor | James Arthur, Nathan Harrison, Gareth Thomas, bass
