The Holst Singers and Stephen Layton MBE celebrate the centenary of Pierre Villette with an evening exploring the richness and colour of French choral music. Villette’s motets combine flowing melodies with sumptuous harmonies, creating music of remarkable warmth and intimacy. This selection offers an opportunity to discover a distinctive composer whose work deserves to be heard more widely.
Alongside Villette’s music, the programme features the UK premiere of David Briggs’s Mass for men’s voices and organ, with Edward Picton-Turbervill joining the choir on organ and piano. Franck’s Panis Angelicus and Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine bring familiar favourites to the evening, while Lili Boulanger’s Hymne au soleil offers a vivid contrast to the programme’s sacred works.