A SPANISH RENAISSANCE CHRISTMAS
Featuring the music of composers Victoria, Guerrero, Morales, and Heredia.
Ne Timeas Maria – Thomás Luis de Victoria (c. 1548-1611)
Ne timeas Maria, invenisti enim gratiam apud Dominum: ecce concipies in utero et paries filium,
et vocabitur Altissimi Filius.
Fear not, Mary, for you have found favour with the Lord: behold, you shall conceive and bring forth a son,
and he shall be called the Son of the Most High.
Introit for Christmas Day
Puer natus est nobis, et filius datus est nobis : cuius imperium super humerum eius : et vocabitur nomen eius, magni consilii angelus.
Cantate Domino canticum novum : quia mirabilia fecit. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto. Sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper, et in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
A boy is born to us, And a son is given to us, upon whose shoulders authority rests, and His name will be called
“The Angel of Great Counsel”.
Sing to the Lord a new song, because he has done the miraculous.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, and is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen
Missa O Magnum Mysterium – Kyrie – Thomás Luis de Victoria
Kyrie eleison (x3), Christe eleison (x3), Kyrie eleison (x3).
Lord have mercy (x3), Christ have mercy (x3), Lord have mercy (x3).
Missa O Magnum Mysterium, Gloria
Glória in excélsis Deo et in terra pax homínibus bonae voluntátis. Laudámus te, benedícimus te, adorámus te, glorificámus te, grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam, Dómine Deus, Rex caeléstis, Deus Pater omnípotens. Dómine Fili unigénite, Jesu Christe, Dómine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris, qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis; qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram. Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis. Quóniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dóminus, tu solus Altíssimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spíritu: in glória Dei Patris. Amen
Glory be to God on high And in earth peace, goodwill towards men, We praise thee, we bless thee,
we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee, for thy great glory O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Alleluia. Dies Santificatus, Chant for Christmas Day
Alleluia. v. Dies sanctificatus illuxit nobis: venite gentes, et adorate Dominum: quia hodie descendit lux magna super terram.
Alleluia. A holy day has dawned upon us; come all ye nations and adore the Lord. For today a great light has descended upon the earth.
Missa O Magnum Mysterium, Credo
Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipoténtem, factórem cæli et terræ, visibílium ómnium et invisibílium. Et in unum Dóminum, Iesum Christum,Fílium Dei unigénitum, et ex Patre natum ante ómnia sǽcula. Deum de Deo, lumen de lúmine, Deum verum de Deo vero, génitum, non factum, consubstantiálem Patri: per quem ómnia facta sunt. Qui propter nos hómines et propter nostram salútem descéndit de cælis. Et incarnátus est de Spíritu Sancto ex María Vírgine, et homo factus est. Crucifíxus étiam pro nobis sub Póntio Piláto; passus et sepúltus est, et resurréxit tértia die, secúndum Scriptúras, et ascéndit in cælum, sedet ad déxteram Patris. Et íterum ventúrus est cum glória, udicáre vivos et mórtuos, cuius regni non erit finis. Et in Spíritum Sanctum, Dóminum et vivificántem: qui ex Patre Filióque procédit. Qui cum Patre et Fílio simul adorátur et conglorificátur: qui locútus est per prophétas. Et unam, sanctam, cathólicam et apostólicam Ecclésiam. Confíteor unum baptísma in remissiónem peccatórum. Et exspécto resurrectiónem mortuórum, et vitam ventúri sǽculi. Amen.
I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, begotten of his Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father; by whom all things were made; who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried; and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; and he shall come again, with glory, to judge both the living and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord, the Giver of Life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshippedand glorified; who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe one holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Quem Vidistis Pastores – Thomás Luis de Victoria
Quem vidistis, pastores? Dicite, annuntiate nobis, quis apparuit?
Natum vidimus, et choros Angelorum collaudantes Dominum. Alelluia.
What have you seen, shepherds? Speak and proclaim to us, who has appeared on earth.
We have seen a newborn child and a choir of angels praising the Lord. Tell, what you have seen and proclaim Christ’s birth.
Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei, Missa O Magnum Mysterium
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua.
Osanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Osanna in excelsis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. O Lamb of God, that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.
Viderunt Omnes, Communion Chant
Viderunt omnes fines terrae salutare Dei nostri.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation which comes from our God.
O Magnum Mysterium – Thomás Luis de Victoria
O magnum mysterium et admirabile sacramentum, ut animalia viderent Dominum natum jacentem in praesepio.
O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Jesum Christum. Ave Maria, gratia plena: Dominus tecum. O beata Virgo, cujus viscera meruerunt portare Dominum Jesum Christum. Alleluia!
O great mystery and wonderful sacrament, that animals should see the new-born Lord lying in a manger! O blessed is the Virgin, whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord. Hail Mary, full of grace: the Lord is with you. Blessed is the Virgin whose womb was worthy to bear Christ the Lord. Alleluia!
Interval – 15 mins
Regina Coeli – Thomás Luis de Victoria
Regina coeli, laetare, alleluia; Quia quem meruisti portare, alleluia, Resurrexit, sicut dixit, alleluia:
Ora pro nobis Deum, alleluia.
Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia. The Son you merited to bear, alleluia, Has risen as he said, alleluia. Pray to God for us, alleluia.
Los Reyes siguen la estrella – Francisco Guerrero (1528-1599)
Los reyes siguen la Estrella, La Estrella sigue al Senor, Y el Senor de ellos y de ella, Segue y busca al picador.
Teniendo de Dios noticia, Buscan con divino celo, La Estrella al sol de justicia, Los Reyes al Rey del cielo.
Guiados son de una Estrella, La Estrella de su Senir, Y el Senor de ellos y de ella, Sigue y busca al picador.
The Kings follow the star; The star follows the Lord; And the Lord of them and of Her, Follows and seeks the sinner.
Bearing news of God, They seek with divine zeal; The star, the sun of justice; The Kings, the King of Heaven.
They are guided by a star, The star of their Lord; And the Lord of them and of Her, Follows and seeks the sinner.
Niño Dios d’amor herido – Francisco Guerrero
Niño Dios de amor herido, tan presto os enamoráis, que apenas habéis nacido, cuando de amores lloráis.
R.: En esa mortal divisa, nos mostráis bien el amar, pues siendo hijo de risa, lo trocáis por el llorar.
La risa nos á cabido, el llorar vos lo aceptáis, y apenas avéis nasçido, quando d’amores lloráis.
Heartbroken infant God, so promptly you fall in love! You are just a newborn and you cry of heartbreak In taking human form, you teach us well about love since, being son of laughter you exchange that for weeping The laughter fits us well You accept the weeping You are just a newborn and you cry of heartbreak.
Hombres, victoria, victoria! – Francisco Guerrero
Hombres, victoria, victoria! Que contra todo’l infierno, el llorar d’un niño tierno a segura nuestra gloria.El sobresalto y la guerra nasçio, de nuestra cayda, y agora Dios nos combida, con gloria y paz en la tierra. Hombres, victoria, victoria! Que contra todo’l infierno, el llorar d’un niño tierno a segura nuestra gloria.
Victory! Victory to mankind! That against all of hell, The crying of a tender boy, Insures our salvation.
Fear and War were, born of our fall, and now God shares with us, glory and peace on earth. Victory, Victory for mankind! That against all of hell, The crying of a tender boy, Insures our salvation.
Cum Natus Esset Jesus – Cristóbal de Morales (c. 1500-1553)
Cum natus esset Jesus in Bethlehem Juda in diebus Herodis regis, ecce magi ab oriente venerunt Hierosolymam, dicentes: Ubi est qui natus est rex Iudæorum? Vidimus enim stellam eius in Oriente, et venimus adorare eum. Audiens autem Herodes rex, turbatus est, et omnis Hierosolyma cum illo. Et congregans omnes principes sacerdotum, et scribas populi, sciscitabatur ab eis, ubi Christus nasceretur.
At illi dixerunt ei: In Bethlehem Judææ: sic enim scriptum est per prophetam dicentem: Et tu Bethlehem, terra Juda, nequaquam minima es in principibus Juda, ex te enim exiet dux, qui regat populum meum Israël. Tunc Herodes, clam vocatis magis, diligenter didicit ab eis tempus stellæ, quæ apparuit eis: et mittens illos in Bethleem, dixit: ite, et interrogate diligenter de puero; et cum inveneritis, renuntiate mihi, ut et ego veniens adorem eum. Qui cum audissent regem, abierunt. Et ecce stella, quam viderant in oriente, antecedebat eos usque dum veniens staret supra, ubi erat puer.
Videntes autem stellam, gavisi sunt gaudio magno valde. Et intrantes domum, invenerunt puerum cum Maria matre eius, et procidentes adoraverunt eum. Et apertis thesauris suis, obtulerunt ei munera, aurum, thus, et myrrham. Et responso accepto in somnis, ne redirent ad Herodem, per aliam viam reversi sunt in regionem suam.
When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea, in the days of king Herod, some wise men came from the east to Jerusalem, saying: Where is he who is born king of the Jews? Because we saw his star in the east and came to worship him. Hearing this, king Herod was troubled and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he questioned them about where the Anointed should be born.
And they told him: In Bethlehem of Judaea: so it is in fact written by the prophet, who says: And you Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, you are not the smallest among the princes of Juda, because out of you will shall come a leader, who will rule my people Israel.
Then Herod, after calling the wise men in private, asked them thoroughly about the time when the star appeared: and sending them to Bethlehem, he said: Go, and search diligently for the young child; and when you will have found him, let me know, so that I, too, may come and worship him. They, when they had heard the king, left; and the star, which they saw in the east, preceded them, until it came and stood over where the young child was.
When they saw the star, they were filled with great joy. And having gone into the house, they found the young child with Mary his mother, and worshipped him prostrated: and opened their chests, they gave him presents, gold, incense, and myrrh. And having received an answer in their sleep that they shouldn’t return to Herod, they returned to their own land through another way.
Magi Viderunt Stellam – Thomás Luis de Victoria
Magi vide[runt] stellam, [qui] dixerunt ad invicem: ‘Hoc signum magni Regis est, eamus et inquiramus eum, et offeramus ei munera: aurum, thus et myrrham. Alleluia.
The magi, [having seen] the star, said, each in turn: “This is the sign of a great king! Let us go and look for him and offer him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Magnificat – Sebastian Aguilera de Heredia (1561-1627)
Magnificat anima mea Dominum; Et exultavit spiritus meus in Deo salutari meo, Quia respexit humilitatem ancillae suae; ecce enim ex hoc beatam me dicent omnes generationes. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est, et sanctum nomen ejus, Et misericordia ejus a progenie in progenies timentibus eum. Fecit potentiam in bracchio suo; Dispersit superbos mente cordis sui. Deposuit potentes de sede, et exaltavit humiles. Esurientes implevit bonis, et divites dimisit inanes. Suscepit Israel, puerum suum, recordatus misericordiae suae, Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros, Abraham et semini ejus in saecula. Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Spiritui Sancto, sicut erat in principio, et nunc, et semper: et in Saecula saeculorum. Amen
My soul doth magnify the Lord. And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his handmaiden: For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations. He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel: As he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.
The Tallis Choir is:
Sopranos
Margaret Allen, Anne Biringer, Emily Clark, Elizabeth Cowling, Carrie Loring*, Jane McKinney, Karen MacLeod, Katharine Pimenoff, Ana Luisa Santo, Suzanne Shwaluk, Audrey Winch, Kate Zimmon*
Altos
Claudia Brown, Christine Davidson, Rohan D’Souza, Bev Jahnke, Peter Koniers*, Matthew Muggeridge*, Tara Nadal, Naomi Perley, Elaine Robertson, Miriam Verhaar
Tenors
Dan Donnelly, Curtis Eisenberg, Charles Im, Nathan Jeffery*, Michael Johnston*, Christopher Mahon
Baritones and Basses
Parker Clements*, Raphael Redmond Fernandes, Felipe Gasper, Herbert Lemcke, David Martin, Sean Nix*
*concert soloist
Rehearsal Accompanist
Nathan Jeffery
Artistic Director
Peter Mahon
Thank you for joining us tonight.
Our Next Concert:
Music for a Time of Plague
If the Covid Pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we are not that much different than our forebears. Our medicines may be more effective but even they have their limitations. Plagues have been with us throughout human history and little has changed.
In Music For a Time of Plague, we look back at how composers reacted to plagues and pandemics and how it affected their music.
The featured composition will be John Sheppard’s monumental Media Vita which, it is believed, he wrote to commemorate the death of a close friend who died of influenza when it swept through London in 1557, killing up to one in ten people in the city.
7:30PM, Saturday March 4th, 2023.
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