The Choral Pilgrimage 2026 A programme exploring majestic music from the Spanish Renaissance alongside spellbinding works from James MacMillan and Kerensa Briggs. Spain’s Siglo de Oro, the Age of Gold, gave rise to some of the greatest sacred choral music of the Renaissance. We devote our latest Choral Pilgrimage to pieces by two outstanding Spanish composers, exploring majestic works by Cristóbal de Morales, famed throughout Europe and in the New World, and the exquisite polyphony of Sebastián de Vivánco, whose intricately crafted counterpoint adorned services at the cathedrals of Ávila and Salamanca during the late 1500s. Our programme also features spellbinding settings of words by Saint John Henry Newman: Sir James MacMillan’s Nothing in Vain for soloists and double choir and the world premiere of Kerensa Briggs’ Lead, Kindly Light, specially commissioned for the Choral Pilgrimage. PROGRAMME Vivanco Christus factus est pro nobis Vivanco O quam suavis est, Domine Morales Emendemus in Melius Morales Exaltata est sancta Dei Genitrix Vivanco Assumpta est Maria Morales Lamentabatur Jacob Morales Gaude et laetare Ferrariensis civitas Vivanco Caritas Pater est Kerensa Briggs Lead, kindly light (new commission) James MacMillan Nothing in vain (Commissioned in 2021 by the Genesis Foundation for Harry Christophers and The Sixteen) Vivanco Magnificat Octavi toni Morales Jubilate Deo omnis terra PERFORMERS The Sixteen Harry Christophers conductor Book Manage Cookie Preferences