The Tallis Scholars, presented by the Boston Early Music Festival

Ave virgo sanctissima: Music for the Virgin Mary
The legendary voices of The Tallis Scholars have been a Boston Early Music Festival tradition for more than three decades, and 2020 will be no exception! Director Peter Phillips gathered these extraordinary singers at the historic Church of St. Anne & St. Agnes in London earlier this fall to record an exclusive performance for the Boston Early Music Festival, all while following local guidelines to ensure the safety of the performers. Join them for a sublime program of music for the Christmas season written to invoke and honor the Virgin Mary, with selections by Palestrina, Guerrero, Lassus, Praetorius, and more. Learn more at

Watch Peter Phillips' introduction:
Watch the Post-Concert Q&A:

PROGRAM
Ave Virgo Sanctissima: Music for the Virgin Mary
Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina: Magnificat Primi Toni (3:02)
Orlande de Lassus: Alma redemptoris mater (8:53)
Robert White: Exaudiat te (11:55)
White: Christe qui lux (IV) (21:19)
Arvo Pärt: Virgencita (26:40)
Francisco Guerrero: Sancta et immaculata (33:26)
Guerrero: Ave virgo sanctissima (38:02)
Hieronymus Praetorius: Magnificat IV (42:16)

Download the Program Notes:

Please turn on closed captioning with the CC icon for English translations.

Please consider making a contribution to the Boston Early Music Festival!
With no ticket revenue for our virtual season this fall, we are relying more than ever on our generous friends and supporters. Individual ticket prices for the originally scheduled Tallis Scholars concert – ranged from $25 to $75. With sincere thanks for your generosity. Donate today at

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ARTISTS
Peter Phillips, conductor

Amy Haworth, soprano
Emma Walshe, soprano
Emily Atkinson, soprano
Eloise Irving, soprano
Caroline Trevor, alto
Elisabeth Paul, alto
Steven Harrold, tenor
Simon Wall, tenor
Greg Skidmore, bass
Rob Macdonald, bass

After the Premiere, this concert will be available on YouTube until Friday, December 25, 2020.

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