St Peter’s Choir
About this week’s music
This week’s Mass setting is the Missa Hor Le Tue Forze Adopra, by Felice Anerio (1560 – 1614). The anthem is by William Byrd (1540 – 1623), Christ Rising Again, setting verses from Romans 6 and 1 Corinthians 15.
Felice Anerio succeeded the great composer Palestrina as official composer to the Papal Chapel, and was a prolific composer with significant standing. Like many composers of his day, much of his output was sacred music, but he often took secular pieces as his inspiration and foundation – in this case a madrigal by the much-admired composer Luca Marenzio. From this he has built the Missa Hor Le Tue Forze Adopra into a sacred work reflective of the Roman polyphonic tradition, with a clear focus on the words and their meaning.
William Byrd wrote Christ Rising Again in English for use in Protestant churches, and it has become a staple of the Easter liturgical repertoire. He takes the two Pauline texts and sets them in contrasting styles, with a dancing jubilation in the second part which more specifically celebrates Christ’s resurrection. Byrd was a Catholic at heart and he continued to write in Latin for the underground church; however, working in English also allowed Byrd to play with the text’s ability to shape the music, and we see that to great effect in this anthem.
About the St Peter’s Choir
Founded in 1847, the choir of St Peter's Eastern Hill is one of the oldest continuing Anglican church choirs in Australia.
Music plays an important part in the liturgical life of St Peter’s, with the choir singing at High Mass on Sundays as well as regular Evensongs. Our repertoire ranges from Plainsong to more recent liturgical settings, with a range of familiar and lesser-known composers. We are particularly enjoying re-discovering English Communion settings of the late 19th and early 20th century, alongside the great Mass settings of the Renaissance.
Membership is made up of volunteers, professional musicians, and a quartet of Foundation Scholars who are studying singing at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. The Church recently launched the music foundation to support this endeavour and to provide opportunities for young up-and-coming singers to develop their performance experience while contributing to our liturgy; if you would like more information about this, or to support this vital ministry, please contact the Director of Music, Christopher Watson.
Join the choir
The choir rehearses at 9 am for a 10.30 am service, with no mid-week rehearsal or other commitment. We encourage amateur singers who wish to sing regularly or occasionally to get in touch with our Director of Music, Christopher Watson, to arrange an audition.