MUSIC

The opening concert of Boston Choral Ensemble's 11th season celebrates the 400th anniversary of the death of Tomás Luis de Victoria with a performance of his Missa Ascendens christum, combined with music by award-winning contemporary British composer Judith Weir.

The ensemble will perform Tomás Luis de Victoria’s five-part Missa Ascendens Christus in Altum, which will showcase the composer’s command of contrapuntal technique, superb word-painting and beautiful vocal lines. In addition, BCE will perform choral music by award-winning British composer Judith Weir, who was recently hailed by The Independent as having “brought new hope to those who thought modern music could never be tuneful and original.” The concert will include the official U.S. Premieres of several pieces by Weir, including her setting of Psalm 148 for chorus and trombone; Vertue, a setting of three poems by George Herbert; and Drop down, ye heavens, a setting of the plainsong Rorate coeli.