The Mechelen Choirbook

A Flemish masterpiece

Huelgas Ensemble
Sat 06/05/2023 - 20:30

Ticket prices

€ 22 - check our reductions

The Mechelen Choirbook is one of the most beautiful and best-preserved musical manuscripts from the 16th century. It was created around 1515 at the studio of master calligrapher Petrus Alamire in Mechelen. It was probably commissioned by the young Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

In 2007, it was recognised as Flemish top heritage.

From this brilliant choirbook, the Huelgas Ensemble has selected a programme with religious music composed by Matthaeus Pipelare and Pierre de la Rue, the favourite composer of Archduchess Margaret of Austria. Fascinating polyphony at the highest level!

VOICES OF PASSION 2023

Leuven and polyphony have since long been closely connected. The Alamire Foundation from Leuven conducts and encourages research into the Gregorian chant and polyphony of the Low Countries.

The Voices of Passion festival is the perfect platform for sharing the research results with as many listeners as possible. This festival edition will have a particularly European flavour with performers from Italy, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Flanders and Britain.

The performances result in a unique interaction between audience, performers and researchers, which in turn leads to a deeper understanding of the repertoire and its further exploration at the innovative and high-tech labs of the Library of Voices and the House of Polyphony, located on the beautiful site of Park Abbey.

More info

www.huelgasensemble.be

artistic direction Paul Van Nevel photo Damon De Backer