Past concert

Elizabeth I (1533-1603)—daughter of Henry VIII, and the last of the Tudors—was one of England’s greatest monarchs. Beyond political intrigues and religious conflicts, her reign saw the advancement of poetry, theatre, and especially music—both sacred and profane—, and furthered the creation of a sung liturgy suited to the Anglican rite. Musicians repaid her in kind, publishing a collection of madrigals in her honour, The Triumphs of Oriana, in 1601. Why the “virgin” queen? Not only did she never marry, according to rumour, she also never gave in to the few favourites who courted her during her reign…

Choirand small instrumental ensemble
Andrew McAnerney conductor