FINALLY FRIDAY: MSO’s chorus on pilgrimage to city basilica

MELBOURNE Symphony Orchestra will present one of the most highly-anticipated premieres of the international choral calendar in Geelong on Sunday.
The orchestra’s performance of Pilgrimage to Santiago will celebrate pilgrims’ centuries of journeys to the bones of St James in Spain’s Santiago de Compostela.
Promoters said the MSO would make its own pilgrimage to St Mary’s Basilica for the “extraordinary a capella concert”.
The concert also marks the 400th anniversary of the death of Spain’s greatest renaissance composer, Tomas Luis de Victoria.
The pilgrims listened to de Victoria’s music as they journeyed along the route.
The Geelong concert will feature the MSO chorus presenting music of de Victoria’s era and two contemporary tributes to the churches and musicians of the time.
The program includes Victoria’s Vidi Speciosam.
Contemporary English composers Joby Talbot and Gabriel Jackson write choral music celebrating the 16th Century compositions.
The MSO Chorus will present the Australian premiere of Talbot’s Leon and the world premiere of Jackson’s To the Field of Stars.
The concert, Pilgrimage to Santiago, will begin at the basilica 3pm Sunday.
Organisers said tickets were available from Geelong Performing Arts Centre or at the door.