The Gesualdo Six
Owain Park, director
Guy James, countertenor
Alasdair Austin, countertenor
Joseph Wicks, tenor
Josh Cooter, tenor
Michael Craddock, baritone
Free parking is available in two main parking lots: one on the north side (Sanctuary) and one on the south side (Friendship Hall).
“Josquin’s Legacy”
Courts in renaissance Italy were meeting places for some of the greatest musicians from across Europe. The Court at Ferrara became a leading centre: many of the Franco-Flemish school passed through its gates and perhaps the most notable of these is Josquin des Prez. This program contextualizes some of the ‘jewels in the crown’ of Italian renaissance repertoire by tracing themes of pedagogy and patronage in northern Italy over 150 years. Highlights include Ockeghem’s glorious Intemerata Dei mater, and the poignant work Josquin wrote on the death of his master, Nymphes des bois.
Marian Devotions
Antoine BRUMEL (c.1460-c.1512): Sub tuum praesidium
Johannes OCKEGHEM (c.1410-1497): Intemerata Dei Mater
Antoine de FÉVIN (c.1470-c.1512): Nesciens mater
Jean MOUTON (c.1459-1521): Ave Maria, virgo serena
Jean L’HÉRITIER(c.1480-after 1551): Sub tuum praesidium
Deplorations and ‘Regretz’ Chanson – Queen of Hearts
Josquin LEBLOITTE dit des Prez (c.1450/55-1521): Nymphes des bois / Requiem aeternam
Josquin des Prez (c.1450/55-1521): Mille regretz
Pierre de la RUE (c.1452-1518): Secretz regretz
Antoine BRUMEL (c.1460-c.1512): Tous les regretz
Loyset COMPÈRE (c.1445-1518): Plaine d’ennuy / Anima mea
Costanzo FESTA (c.1485/90-1545): Quis dabit oculis
Josquin des Prez(c.1450/55-1521):O Virgo Prudentissima
Concert Underwriters: Charles and Virginia Clark
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“Ingeniously programmed and impeccably delivered, with that undefinable excitement that comes from a group of musicians working absolutely as one.” – Gramophone (2020)
The Gesualdo Six is an award-winning British vocal ensemble comprising some of the UK’s finest consort singers, directed by Owain Park. Praised for their imaginative programming and impeccable blend, the group formed in 2014 for a performance of Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories in Cambridge and has gone on to perform at numerous major festivals around the world.
Notable highlights include a concert in the distinguished Deutschlandradio Debut Series, performances at renowned venues including Wigmore Hall (London), Miller Theatre (New York), the Sydney Opera House, and their debut at the BBC Proms in 2023. In 2024, The Gesualdo Six made their South American debut in Colombia, and will appear in Japan, China and Singapore for the first time. The ensemble have collaborated with Fretwork, the Brodsky Quartet, and Matilda Lloyd, and tour a work of concert-theatre titled Secret Byrd with Director, Bill Barclay.
The Gesualdo Six is committed to music education, regularly hosting workshops for young musicians and composers. The ensemble have curated two Composition Competitions, with the most recent edition drawing entries from over three hundred composers worldwide. The group recently commissioned new works from Shruthi Rajasekar and Joanna Marsh, alongside coronasolfège for 6 by Héloïse Werner.
The ensemble have harnessed the power of social media to make classical music accessible to millions worldwide, creating captivating videos from beautiful locations while on tour. The group released their debut recording English Motets on Hyperion Records in early 2018 to critical acclaim, followed by seven further albums (Christmas, Fading, Josquin’s Legacy, Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories, Lux Aeterna, William Byrd’s Mass for five voices, & Morning Star). Their latest album, Queen of Hearts was released at the end of June 2024.