Harmonies of Heaven and Earth: music by Weelkes, Byrd and their contemporaries alongside three contemporary female composers

Luminatus is a vocal ensemble, directed by David Bray, that puts on concerts in the East Midlands and East of England. For their next concert on 28 October 2023 at Downing Place United Reformed Church, Cambridge, CB2 3EL, the ensemble is mixing Renaissance and contemporary music. The Renaissance selection features music by Byrd and Weelkes, to highlight the 400th anniversary of their death, plus music by Cipriano de Rore, Pedro de Cristo, Ippolito Baccusi, Sebastian de Vivanco and movements from the Missa Ad te levavi oculos meos by Philippe de Monte, who knew Byrd. 

De Monte and Byrd probably met when King Philip II of Spain brought the Capilla Flamenca, in which de Monte sang, to England for his marriage to Queen Mary I. Capilla Flamenca and the Chapel Royal sang together at the wedding, and it is assumed Byrd and de Monte met then. That they stayed in contact is indicated by their setting of a pair of interlinking motets, taking text from the same psalm.

The contemporary element of Luminatus' concert features music by three female composers, Melissa Dunphy, Ghislaine Reece-Trapp, and Eleanor Daley.

The debut CD from Luminatus, entitled O Beata Virgo Maria, and featuring music by Renaissance and contemporary composers, is scheduled for release on Convivium Records in the Spring of 2024.

Full details from Luminatus' website.