‘Veni Domine, et noli tardare’ – Sebastianist Music from Renaissance Portugal with Rory McCleery on 10th May 2025

The Music

Musical settings of disconsolate devotional and biblical passages often presented Renaissance musicians with an effective and potentially covert vehicle for political commentary, and such is the case with works by many of the Portuguese composers living under the rule of the Spanish Habsburgs. These musicians expressed through their compositions both the sadness of the people at being governed by a foreign power, and also the longing for the restoration of the Portuguese monarchy, a sentiment which found expression in the cult of ‘Sebastianism’, a belief that the young King Sebastian, who vanished in 1578 during an ill-advised military campaign in Morocco, might one day return to reclaim his throne. This was not to be, and it would not be until the accession of the music-loving John, Duke of Braganza as John (João) IV in December 1640, that the throne would be reclaimed from Spain.

Join our popular tutor Rory McCleery for an exploration of this fascinating and beautiful repertoire, including plangently expressive motets and mass movements by Duarte Lobo, Manuel Cardoso and Estêvão Lopes Morago.

Music will be provided on the day

The Tutor

Rory McCleery is an award-winning Scottish conductor, countertenor & musicologist. Internationally renowned for his compelling interpretations of a wide range of repertoire, he is particularly associated with the choral music of the Renaissance and Baroque, and is also increasingly known for his affinity with the music of contemporary British composers. Rory has appeared at prestigious venues including the Wigmore Hall and BBC Proms and has directed choirs and led masterclasses, study days and workshops in the USA, Spain, Germany, France and Italy. He features regularly on radio and television, including the recent BBC2 series ‘Art That Made Us’.

Rory is Founder & Artistic Director of The Marian Consort, with whom he performs internationally, including a recent televised tour of Japan. Rory has an extensive discography with The Marian Consort on both Delphian and Linn Records, including many first recordings of both new and historic music which have garnered a variety of accolades and awards including the Diapason D’Or, Presto Classical Album of the Year and the Preis der Deutschen Schallplattenkritik. When not researching and conducting, Rory is also active as a countertenor, performing as a soloist with ensembles including The Dunedin Consort, English Consort and Ensemble 1604.

Timetable for the day

10.00        Registration and drinks

10.30        Morning session (with a short comfort break)

1.00          Lunch (bring your own as there are no facilities nearby)

2.00          Afternoon session

3.30          Tea break

4.00          Final session

5.00          Finish

The Venue 

Emmanuel Church Centre, Forest Rd, Loughborough LE11 3NW

Free parking in the church car park further along the road (on the same side going out of the town) – separated from the church complex by a grassed area.  Disabled parking is available at the church entrance.

Organiser: Philippa Bristow 07812 268246 or memfworkshops@gmail.com

Booking is now open: Book here by Friday 25th April