The Prince of Music with Stile Antico

Stile Antico marks its twentieth season by honouring Palestrina, whose quincentenary falls in 2025. Palestrina’s stellar career was inextricably entwined with the Papacy and the great churches of Rome for which he composed.

This programme explores the music he would have sung at the Sistine Chapel, the changes in his style demanded by the Counter-Reformation, his tragic personal life, and his influence on his successors.

The repertoire is sumptuous, including several of Palestrina’s most beloved and timeless motets, gems by other leading composers active in Rome, and a new work by leading British composer Cheryl Frances-Hoad, written especially for this programme.

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Palestrina Sicut cervus 

THE PAPAL CHAPEL

Josquin Salve Regina 

Arcadelt Pater noster 

Palestrina Tu es Petrus 

 

THE COUNTER-REFORMATION

Palestrina Nigra sum sed Formosa 

Victoria Trahe me post te 

Palestrina Credo from Missa Papae Marcelli 

Palestrina Super flumina Babylonis 

A TIME OF TURMOIL

Palestrina Peccantem me quotidie 

Palestrina Gioia m’abond’al cor 

Palestrina Surge propera amica mea 

 

IN PRAISE OF MUSIC

Palestrina Cantantibus organis 

Palestrina Exultate Deo 

Lassus Musica Dei donum 

 

PALESTRINA’S RICH LEGACY 

Anerio Christus factus est 

Allegri Christus Resurgens 

Cheryl Frances-Hoad New work, commissioned for this programme