Founded in 1969, Musica Deo Sacra is a festival celebrating music in the liturgy, held in the majestic setting of Tewkesbury Abbey. This year’s festival commemorates the 100th anniversary of the death of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford, and the 150th anniversary of the birth of Sir Edward Bairstow – two towering figures in the world of church music. We also remember the great hymn writer and theologian, Isaac Watts, born 350 years ago. Friday’s Requiem Mass will be sung to the sublime, but little-known, setting by the Portuguese Renaissance composer, Manuel Cardoso, whilst Sunday’s Mass will resonate to the music of Jean Langlais, the legendary French organist.
THE MUSICA DEO SACRA CHOIR
Festival Director: CARLETON ETHERINGTON
Organist: PAUL WALTON
Vicar: REVD CANON NICK DAVIES