Concerts of excellence
Night Concert | Medieval Songs and Lamentations of Tallis
Tenebrae Choir (London)
Nigel Short

Date
Thursday, 08.10
Hours 21:30
Location
Chiesa del Collegio Papio, Ascona
Via delle Cappelle 1, 6612 Ascona
Price categories
CHF 60 / 40 / 20
Chamber Music and Vocal Concerts
Concert information
Founded in 2001 by Nigel Short, the Tenebrae Choir is considered one of the finest vocal ensembles in the world. It is acclaimed for its extraordinary precision and deeply moving interpretations. At the center of the program are the monumental Lamentations I & II by Thomas Tallis. These settings of Jeremiah’s laments are among the most moving in the history of music. With their dense, dark harmonies, they capture the deep sadness and despair of Jerusalem’s destruction, music that, in its timeless beauty, shines far beyond its original liturgical context. They are complemented by Tallis’ more hopeful motets, such as the intense “If ye love me,” which is striking for its clear understanding of the text and its simple elegance. The two settings of John Sheppard’s “In manus tuas” (In Your Hands) form the spiritual cornerstones of the evening. These settings for evening prayer symbolize letting go and trusting in the hour of darkness. To conclude, William Blitheman’s “In pace in idipsum” offers a work of perfect tranquility that leaves the listener in the peace of the night.
Program
Tenebrae Choir (London)
Nigel Short, Conductor
John Sheppard (ca. 1515-1558)
“In manus tuas” I
Gregorian chant
Passion Sunday hymn: “Pange lingua gloriosi”
Compline of Passion Time
Thomas Tallis (ca. 1505-1585)
“If ye love me”
“Hear the voice and prayer”
John Sheppard
“In manus tuas” II
Thomas Tallis
Lamentations I
Gregorian chant
Responsory: “In monte Oliveti”
Thomas Tallis
Lamentations II
Gregorian chant
Responsory: “Tristis est anima mea”
William Blitheman (ca. 1525-1591)
“In pace in idipsum”
Duration: 60′ (without intermission)
The Artists

Tenebrae Choir (London)
Tenebrae was founded in 2001 by Nigel Short and is one of the world’s leading vocal ensembles. The choir has performed at the BBC Proms, the Elbphilharmonie, Wigmore Hall, and the Rheingau Music Festival. They have sung for Max Richter (“Voice”) and for film productions such as “Avatar: The Way of Water,” winning a Grammy in 2018 and the OPUS-KLASSIK Prize in 2025 for their live performance of Händel’s “Messiah,” among other accolades.

Nigel Short
Conductor
Nigel Short was a member of the King’s Singers and founded Tenebrae in 2001. As a conductor, he has led the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the London Philharmonic, and the Academy of Ancient Music. As an award-winning producer, he has worked with Decca, Deutsche Grammophon, and LSO Live. In 2018, he was nominated for a Grammy, and in 2025, he received the OPUS-KLASSIK Award for Orchestral Performance of the Year.
Venue information: Chiesa del Collegio Papio, Ascona
The Chiesa Santa Maria della Misericordia at the Roman Catholic secondary school “Collegio Papio” is a Renaissance-era building, renowned for its impressive altarpieces and wall paintings by Giovanni Serodine (17th century) and Marco D’Oggioni (16th century). Because of its size and excellent acoustics, the church is regularly used for concerts, including major concerts organized by classicAscona. The College’s other premises host master classes and other side events.
The College’s other premises are used for master classes and other side events.

Night Concert | Medieval Songs and Lamentations of Tallis
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