Festival of Commemoration concert

The concert featured music from the reigns of Mary I and Elizabeth I including several of the masterpieces of the period and performed by The Choir of Westminster Abbey, conducted by James O’Donnell.

Some of England’s greatest musical figures – Byrd, Tallis, Sheppard, Mundy - were active during this time of religious and social turbulence, composing music for both the Roman rite, during its restoration under Mary I and the reformed Church of England under her successor, Elizabeth I. Many of these pieces were closely associated with Westminster Abbey.

The music was interspersed with readings from contemporary sources read by Anita Wright.

To complement the concert The Choir of Westminster Abbey recorded a CD of sacred music composed and performed during the reigns of Mary I and Elizabeth I, available to purchase via Hyperion Records.