In 1570 British composer Thomas Tallis, wrote one of the most iconic works for the human voice. Spem in Alium is a monumental work composed for 40 separate singers. To celebrate the 450th anniversary of this work, Tate Modern and the ORA Singers host a unique socially-distanced livestream from the Turbine Hall.
The ORA Singers perform the world premiere of a specially commissioned 40-part work by one of the UK's greatest living choral composers, Sir James MacMillan. This piece reflects the message of 'Spem', meaning hope, for the modern day.
This performance was scheduled for May 2020, to coincide with Tate Modern’s 20th birthday. The event was postponed with the galleries closed during lockdown and was originally conceived to include a collaborative performance with local choirs. We want to bring Tallis’ message of hope across the centuries and to make a gesture of solidarity to other art forms.
Programme
- Welcome introduction by Frances Morris, Director of Tate Modern
- Spem in Alium by Thomas Tallis
- Ave Verum by William Byrd
- Ave Verum Corpus Re-imagined by Roderick Williams
- Vidi aquam by Sir James MacMillan
Each piece will begin with a short introduction.
Performance supported by Naomi Milgrom AC
