The Battle of Lepanto: workshop with Tutor Gawain Glenton on 13th January 2024

The Battle of Lepanto took place on October 7^th, 1571. This colossal naval battle pitted the combined forces of Europe’s Catholic states (under the overall command of Don Juan of Austria) against the Ottoman Empire and resulted in a major defeat of the Ottoman fleet. Galleys came from Spain, Genoa, The Papal States, Savoy, Tuscany and elsewhere. The Venetians were the dominant presence however, providing more than twice as many galleys as any other member of the Holy League.

For Venetians the battle of Lepanto became the defining military victory of the era and was celebrated for decades to come – in part because a decisive victory of this magnitude was rather unexpected. It was used as a major propaganda coup and was self-consciously built into the Venetian myth.

The focus of the annual celebrations was a procession (or andata) to the church of Santa Giustina culminating in a Mass of thanksgiving. Several Venetian composers wrote large-scale music for this event, including Giovanni Croce, Andrea Gabrieli, Claudio Merulo and Giovanni Bassano. This workshop will explore this fascinating aspect of Venetian musical culture.

This workshop is for singers of all voice types, plus cornetts, sackbuts, dulcians and string instruments. Recorder players are welcome, but should be prepared to also sing and/or play a different instrument. A = 440.

The Tutor Gawain Glenton is a specialist cornetto player whose work as a soloist and an ensemble musician takes him all over the world. He is a member and co-director of the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble and also a popular workshop Tutor.

Music will be provided on the day.

The Venue Trinity Church (www.trinitychurchstafford.org.uk) ST16 2BZ, is a spacious modern building in Stafford town centre. The main church space, where the workshop will take place, is on the first floor; a lift is available. The church website includes a link to a map. The church is a ten-minute walk from Stafford railway station.

Details of town car parks can be found here and here. Note that some car parks are pay-by-phone only. The church has a small number of parking spaces (about 8); these will be available for those bringing bulky instruments or those with limited mobility. Please telephone or message Tim Boardman if you would like to make use of one of these spaces, and please try to car-share where possible. Tim’s mobile: 07794 837396.

Please note: There are extensive roadworks and diversions in operation around Stafford centre that will continue well into 2024. If you wish to use the long stay Doxey Road car park (no. 13a on the Borough Council map) it is currently accessible from Chell Road by car, but may not be on the 13th. From the A34 north of the town centre follow the new link road (Pans Road) signposted Telford A518. At the first roundabout take the first exit into the car park, by Sainsbury’s. Currently,Trinity Church can be accessed via Chell Road/Broad Street. If there are any changes in the interim affecting access to the church, I shall post an update on this page.

NB There is also a small independent car park on Mount Street, immediately behind Trinity Church: SIP Car Parks Limited Sheridan Centre Mount Street Stafford ST16 2BZ. Charge is £5 for the day. It does tend to fill up quite early, but may be worth a try as it is cheap and convenient.

Booking is now open – please scroll down for the booking form.