Details

Two of the greatest composers of the Late Renaissance.

About the artists

Ensemble Gombert is Melbourne’s outstanding chamber choir, renowned for its pure intonation and historical approach to choral sound and style. Named after Nicolas Gombert, the Ensemble specialises in a cappella performance of Franco-Flemish music of the High Renaissance.

About the concert

Lassus and Palestrina are regarded as two of the greatest composers of the Late Renaissance. In his day, Lassus’s works were widely disseminated across Europe and he was known as the finest living composer. Palestrina and his musical language became the hallmark of the era in succeeding centuries.

Today the two composers are of equal stature, Lassus better known for the number and enormous variety of his motets and Magnificats (101 of the latter), Palestrina for his 105 Masses.

Ensemble Gombert’s performance in Elisabeth Murdoch Hall opens with Lassus’s brilliant double-choir setting of Omnes de Saba venient, followed by his Magnificat Praeter rerum seriem, the highly expressive Tristis est anima mea, and his final work, a Nunc dimittis composed days before his death. Ending with Palestrina’s great 6-part Mass for the Assumption in a program of pure mastery.

Praise for Ensemble Gombert

‘Melbourne’s finest choir.’ The Age

COVID Safety

Melbourne Recital Centre is committed to the safety of our artists, staff and patrons. As we reopen, a range of public health, hygiene and physical distancing measures will be in place. Click here to learn more.

ARTISTS

Ensemble Gombert
John O’Donnell director

Series

This production is part of the following series: