Melbourne Recital Centre, City Recital Hall and Queensland Performing Arts Centre today announced, ‘the rock stars of Renaissance vocal music’ (The New York Times), The Tallis Scholars will return to Australia for a national tour, beginning with Melbourne Recital Centre’s Elisabeth Murdoch Hall for one night only on Tuesday 25 October 2022, performing a sublime program of sacred choral music.

Led by Director Peter Phillips, the Music for the Sistine Chapel program explores the elite world of great Renaissance composers including Josquin des Prez, Giovani Pierluigi da Palestrina, Cristobal de Morales and Tomás Luis de Victoria, with music once written for the revered Sistine Chapel Choir, including Gregorio Allegri’s iconic Miserere.

The Sistine Chapel Choir was the premiere singing body in Rome throughout the Renaissance period and the one which every Catholic musician, from anywhere in Europe, aspired to join.

All the composers to be heard in this exquisite program would have been in the orbit of the Choir, receiving performances there, or taking part in them; giving audiences the rare opportunity to hear music that was initially heavily guarded by the Pope.

For more than 40 years, The Tallis Scholars have established themselves as the world’s leading exponents of Renaissance sacred music, creating a sound of astonishing beauty and blend.

Labelled ‘one of the UK’s great cultural exports’ by BBC Radio 3, the group has sought to bring Renaissance works to a wider audience in churches, cathedrals and leading venues around the world, including Royal Albert Hall, The Sistine Chapel, Carnegie Hall and Berliner Philharmoniker.

On returning to Australia for the first time since 2016, The Tallis Scholars Founder and Conductor Peter Phillips said he was delighted for what will be the choral ensemble’s 10th visit.

‘Singing here has meant a lot to us, since our first international tour was to Australia in 1985, Musica Viva taking a long punt on total unknowns,’ said Mr. Phillips.

‘Nearly 40 years later and approaching our 50th season, I remain indebted to those pioneering promoters who predicted a following for renaissance sacred polyphony on the concert stage. And I’m grateful to the continuing support of the promoters of today like Melbourne Recital Centre whose staff and audience always make us feel so welcome.’

‘As near extraterrestrial as you can get sitting in a concert hall.’ The Observer

Event Details

The Tallis Scholars: Music for the Sistine Chapel

Tour Dates

Tuesday 25 October – Melbourne Recital Centre, Melbourne
Wednesday 26 October – Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane
Thursday 27 October – City Recital Hall, Sydney

Tickets go on sale to the general public for The Tallis Scholars Melbourne performance on Friday 22 July at 11am via melbournerecital.com.au

The Tallis Scholars is Melbourne Recital Centre’s 2022 Signature Event.

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