This promises to be a Christmas concert like no other. Ancient chants and toe-tapping rhythms collide in this unique event journeying through a millennium of early Latin and Hispanic sacred Christmas music treasures, including the UK premiere of a villancico by Cuban Baroque composer, Esteban Salas. Joined by a stellar line-up of pre-eminent Hispanic soloists, the groundbreaking Medieval specialist Idrîsî Ensemble join forces with the Monteverde Consort to celebrate vibrant, festive songs from Spain and Latin America, interlacing Amerindian and Afro styles with the entrancing, mystical sounds of the Roman world. Inspired by our historic c.1163 venue, the Temple Church, the group will also revive music from the site’s earliest days, including a 12th-century chant associated with the Knights Templar who established this place as their spiritual home. BritishSpanish Society members can book for the discounted rate of £10 using the code ZESPEDES at the checkout GET TICKETS

PROGRAMME

Navidad nuestra: ‘Huida’ Ariel Ramírez (Argentina)

Introitus ‘Hodie Scietis’ Old Roman Chant

Hanacpachap cussicuinin Anonymous (Peru)

Conductus ‘Congaudeant Catholici’ Codex Calixtinus (Spain)

Marizápalos a lo Divino ‘Serafín que, con dulce harmonía’ Joan Cererols (Spain)

Gaudete Anonymous (UK)

Desvelado dueño mio Tomás de Torrejón y Velasco (Peru)

Offertorium ‘Tollite Portas’ Old Roman Chant

Convidando está la noche Juan García de Zéspedes (Mexico)

Vayan unas especies Esteban Salas (Cuba) UK PREMIERE

Antiphona ‘Media Vita in Morte Sumus’ Templar Chant

San Sabeya Gugurumbé Mateo Flecha ‘el Viejo’ (Spain)

Dennos lecencia Señores Martínez Compañón Codex (Peru)

ARTISTS

Idrîsî Ensemble

Monteverde Consort

& special guest soloists:

Ana Beard Fernández soprano

Julia Merino mezzosoprano

Jesús León tenor

This event is presented by the Instituto Cervantes with the kind support of the Iberian & Latin American Music Society (ILAMS) and the Spanish Embassy

londres.cervantes.es

ilams.org.uk

spainculturescience.co.uk