Past Events

Gabrieli Consort & Players returned to the Early Music Festival Utrecht, Netherlands in August 2024. Directed by Paul McCreesh, the ensemble performed Morales‘ Mass for the Feast of Saint Isidore of Seville.

Of the sixteen masses published by the Sevillian Cristóbal de Morales in 1544, only one is based on a secular song: the six-part Missa Mille regretz, forged around a chanson by Josquin des Prez. And that is no coincidence: with his collection of masses, Morales marketed himself as the true heir to Spain’s favorite Low Lander. 

With voices and instruments, Gabrieli Consort & Players framed this key work in a ceremonial setting at the cathedral of Toledo, where Morales was active as bandmaster for several years. There, on high days, such as the feast of Isidore of Seville, polyphony was sung and accompanied by wind instruments. Tientos for organ and Gregorian chants in Spanish style form the velvet against which Morales’ crown jewel will shine again. 

Listen to the programme here: Morales Mass for the Feast of Saint Isidore of Seville

Watch a short clip of the performance here: Festival Oude Muziek Utrecht

Paul McCreesh, conductor

David Allsopp, Mark Chambers, Tristram Cooke, Matthew Farrell alto 

Jeremy Budd, Jonathan Hanley, Tom Robson, Edward Ross tenor 

Richard Bannan, Eoghan Desmond baronet 

William Gaunt, Ben McKee bass 

William Lyons shawm, bass dulican, recorder 

Nicholas Perry shawm, bass dulican, recorder 

Fiona Last shawm, recorder 

Richard Thomas cornetto, recorder 

Alma Mayer cornetto, recorder 

Tom Lees trombone 

Martyn Sanderson trombone 

Jan Waterfield organ 

Morales Mass for the Feast of Saint Isidore of Seville