The Gesualdo Six Sing Josquin

St. Mary's Parish Church, Haddington

Duration 1 hour 15 mins

Tota pulchra es
Praeter Rerum seriem
Ista est speciosa
Sicut Lilium
Nymphes des bois
Tous les Regretz
Secretz Regretz
Venez Regretz
Quis dabit oculi
Salve Regina
Nesciens mater
O Virgo Prudentissima


Director

The Gesualdo Six I – Josquin’s Legacy

Photo credit: Patrick Allen

In a crowded field The Gesualdo Six have emerged as one of the most exciting vocal ensembles specialising in Renaissance polyphony. We are delighted to welcome them to the festival for two concerts, here celebrating the 500th anniversary of the hugely influential French Renaissance composer Josquin des Prez (c.1450/55 – 1521), the greatest composer of his age.  Courts in renaissance Italy were meeting places for some of the greatest musicians from across Europe. This programme contextualises some of the ‘jewels in the crown’ of Italian Renaissance repertoire by tracing themes of pedagogy and patronage in northern Italy over 150 years, featuring works by Brumel, Josquin, Mouton and L’Héritier.

St Mary's Church, Haddington provided an appropriate setting for some stunningly sung Renaissance motets from the singers of the Gesualdo Six. This small group of astoundingly clean-voiced musicians sang with such impeccable blend and crystalline tone that sound seemed to float in mid-air before reaching the ears of the rapt audience . . . every line, every gorgeous texture was radiantly clear. The audience received it in entranced silence like a rain after a drought ... I didn't want it to end.

The Time ***** (2021 Lammermuir Festival)

Seating Plan

See ticket prices for St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington below.

St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington

The Collegiate Church of St Mary the Virgin is one of the great ecclesiastical buildings of mediaeval Scotland, founded in 1380 and known for centuries as "The Lamp of Lothian".

It was severely damaged in the 16th Century during Henry VIII's 'Rough Wooing' of Scotland, and after the Reformation only the nave was used as a parish church, with the choir and tower remaining roofless.

It was finally restored to its former glory in the 1970s, and is Scotland's longest church as well as one of its most beautiful, with a wonderfully warm, resonant acoustic.

St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington

Address

St Mary’s Parish Church, Haddington
EH41 4BZ

Getting there by bus

Buses passing trough Haddington
EAST COAST BUSES: X6, X7, 106
PRENTICE: 108, 109, 101, 111, 122
EVE COACHES: 121
Please check bus timetables before booking your tickets.

Getting there by train

The nearest station is Drem.

Getting there by car

Haddington is off the A1. There are two exits off the A1 coming from the east or the west.

Accessibility

Parking:

There is free on-street parking, 100m from the church, on the road, and throughout the town.

We can offer 3 spaces inside the church grounds, buy the side of the church, for blue badge holders. Please email [email protected] to book a space, subject to availability and on a first come first served basis.

Terrain:

Tarmac and gravel.

Induction Loop:
Yes

Toilets:
Good male/female provision plus adapted toilet for disabled.

Wheelchair Access:

Access is easier via the North Side (side) door, next to the blue badge parking spaces, and open 30 minutes before concert. There will be a volunteer steward in a high vis jacket who will provide assistance. There is level access into venue.

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