Manuel Cardoso 450th Birthday – BREMF consort of Voices

Deborah Roberts, director of the Brighton Early Music Festival Consort of Voices, selected a challenging programme of works by Cardoso and his contemporaries. Apparently the choir was nervous but this did not get through to the audience. They communicated just the vibrant passion of this glorious music from the Portuguese Golden Age. It was thrilling, and even the plainchant had an energetic pulse.

The second half was embellished by Richard Dawson playing an ornate harpsichord work by Coelho and refined organ accompaniment in works by Rebelo. The blending of the richly textured, confident voices was very smooth, the tuning immaculate.

St Paul’s Church, 2 April 2016

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