November 6, 2001
Contact: Susan Gwynne
(805) 893-2098
e-mail: gwynne-s@sa.ucsb.edu

British a cappella superstars the Tallis Scholars
to sing special Christmas program
at Our Lady of Sorrows Church

Summary Facts:

• The Tallis Scholars
• Leading exponents of Renaissance scared music
• Arts & Lectures’ first presentation of a Chamber Music in Historic Sites® concert
• Friday, December 14
• 8 pm / Our Lady of Sorrows Church
• General: $30, UCSB students: $19
• Tickets/information: UCSB Arts & Lectures at 893-3535

The Tallis Scholars, the acclaimed English a cappella choir, will perform a special Christmas program on Friday, December 14 at 8 pm in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Sola and Anacapa Streets, Santa Barbara. This ensemble, directed by Peter Phillips, is one of the leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music and its Christmas program will include works by Tallis, Parsons and Praetorius. The Boston Globe claims, “To hear them perform is one of the great live music experiences of our time, for in many respects, they perform at a level approaching perfection. Moreover, the splendid musicality and gorgeous sound of the group add a positively mystical aspect to a concert.”

Founded in 1973 by Peter Phillips, The Tallis Scholars explore the depth and variety of Renaissance sacred music, not only from Buxtehude to Bach, but also from Heinrich Isaac to Frei Manuel Cardoso. Renowned for its purity and clarity of sound, the group gives 80 concerts a year around the globe. One of The Tallis Scholars’ career highlights was a 1994 performance in the Vatican’s Sistine Chapel to mark the final stages of the complete restoration of Michelangelo’s famous frescoes. The group records exclusively for Gimell Records; its catalog extends to over 35 recordings. Their recording of Palestrina’s Missa Assumpta est Maria and Missa Sicut lilium was awarded Gramophone magazine’s Early Music Award 1991. In 1994 their recording of music by Cipriano de Rore received both Gramophone’s Early Music Award and the Gramophone/Classic FM People’s Choice Award.

In 1973 Oxford graduate Peter Phillips brought together choral scholars from the Oxford and Cambridge Chapel Choirs to form The Tallis Scholars. Besides his work with The Tallis Scholars, Peter Phillips publishes The Musical Times and contributes a regular music column to The Spectator. Phillips has made numerous television and radio broadcasts, including a major South Bank Show television documentary aired in 1990 in which the viewer is taken on a personal odyssey through the sacred Renaissance repertoire with The Tallis Scholars as the major musical interpreters.

At 7 p.m. on the evening of their Santa Barbara performance, artistic director Peter Phillips will hold a pre-concert Meet-the-Artist Discussion, hosted by Alejandro Planchart of the UCSB Department of Music. An informal architectural chat and reception will immediately follow the concert in the nearby Delores Center parish hall. Christine Palmer, Urban Historian for the City of Santa Barbara and Edward Cella, Landmarks Commissioner, will be available to answer questions. Christmas cookies and hot cider will be served.

Our Lady of Sorrows Church was built in 1929 and designed by architect Edward A. Eames. Intricately cast stone moldings and capitals inspired by designs of the Spanish Romanesque period lend a medieval feel to this prominent downtown historic church—an inspiring setting for a Christmas concert by England’s premier vocal ensemble.

This concert will be the first of three performances in UCSB Arts & Lectures’ 2001-2002 performing arts season held in conjunction with the distinguished Los Angeles-based Chamber Music in Historic Sites®. This partnership allows Arts & Lectures to travel to unique and intimate environments to celebrate the experience of music in sacred, social and architectural contexts. Celesta Billeci, director of Arts & Lectures, claims, “I am delighted to inaugurate our new concert series with a performance by the illustrious Tallis Scholars. To present these superb English vocalists and their Christmas program in a space that will enrich our experience of the music is very gratifying. Arts & Lectures’ winter concerts by Anonymous 4 at our Lady of Mount Carmel Church and the Borromeo Quartet at the Montecito Country Club will be followed next year by other creative pairings of great music and beautiful architecture.”

Edward Cella, Santa Barbara Landmarks Commissioner, also expressed his excitement about the series, saying, “The upcoming Santa Barbara season of Chamber Music in Historic Sites® promises to be a meaningful and entertaining way for our community to celebrate the significance of our historic buildings. I am pleased to see the series come to town through a partnership between UCSB Arts & Lectures and the Pearl Chase Society.”

UCSB Arts & Lectures presents the Tallis Scholars by agreement with Chamber Music in Historic Sites®—a nationally licensed series, Dr. MaryAnn Bonino, president and founder. Thanks to the Pearl Chase Society for its support and to Santa Barbara Magazine for sponsoring this concert. Tickets are $30 for the general public and $19 for UCSB students.

For tickets or more information,
call UCSB Arts & Lectures at (805) 893-3535.

Editor: For photos, please call
Susan Gwynne at (805) 893-2098.