“The thoughtfully assembled and beautifully sung programs by the church’s resident choir … have always been among the highlights of the series. [The choir] sang this music with an admirable purity of tone and an easy, unforced sound.”  —New York Times

The English Renaissance and the Catholic Tradition

As English Catholicism gave way to Anglicanism, some composers, especially the great William Byrd, refused to convert. Movements for a composite mass including works by the mightiest Catholic composers from three generations—Taverner, Tallis, and Byrd—are interspersed with Renaissance motets and a new commission by James Bassi, who guest conducts the quintessential Choir of Corpus Christi Church.

We launch a new artistic team, using the talent and expertise of two members of the Choir of Corpus Christi Church: the multi-talented composer, conductor, pianist and singer James Bassi and Thomas Baker, long-time choir member with an amazingly wide-ranging intelligence. James Bassi is the concert’s mastermind—creating the program, recruiting additional singers to supplement the regular choir, and directing the rehearsals and the performance itself. Thomas Baker lends his musicological savvy to the research for the program itself. Louise Basbas and Music Before 1800 provide the administrative support to make it all happen.

Visit mb1800.org for more info!