Fiori’s answer to Glastonbury!

It’s not often that you hear of a classical music concert likened to the mudfest that is Glastonbury but that’s just what you can expect from Fiori Musicali’s midsummer concert at Wolfhampcote. Obviously just without the mud and rain!

It’s an atmospheric performance, not to be missed! Its location is St Peter’s church, in the middle of nowhere, so beware; access is tricky but you will be rewarded with an utterly unique performance!* There are no ornaments, no carpet, hardly any pews and certainly no mod cons like electricity so bring your own creature comforts.

You can, however, expect an electric performance from the Fiori Choir (did you see what I did there?) who will be performing the amazing Spem in Alium by English Elizabethan composer Tallis. What’s so special about this music, is that it is written for 40 voices. Just like any other choral performance? No! It’s for 40 individual voices so all the parts sung are different to each other.

Fiori’s leading lady, Penelope Rapson assures me that it’s one of the great choral pieces of the 16th century and is rumoured to have been written for the fortieth birthday of Queen Elizabeth. When researching Tallis’ 40-part motet I stumbled across a great quote by a certain Peter Phillips describing the challenge of performances like this:

 “…they need a quite exceptionally large brain to control their bulk.”

A bit like dinosaurs, they attract attention because of their size! I quite liked that quotation!

So if you’d like to witness the feat of the exceptionally large brain, performed by some quite exceptional voices, you can buy tickets here. Alternatively you can call Fiori on +44 (0) 1327 360931 – only £15 seats left now!

Don’t forget a cushion and your candlelit dusk picnic for after the performance!

Fiori Fan

Also in the programme:

Josquin Missa Pange Lingua
Sheppard Gaude, gaude, gaude Maria
Tallis Latin Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis

*St Peter’s church, CV23 8AR. Access off the A45 at Braunston just before the Boat House Hotel/hostelry. The footpath is navigable by car (at 3 mph) but it’s very pot-holed! Otherwise via the gated road from Flecknoe.