The Royal Albert Hall recently hosted an extraordinary event, bringing audiences a musical journey back to late Renaissance Florence. The captivating performance by Le Concert Spirituel, under the direction of Hervé Niquet, showcased the splendor of 16th- and 17th-century choral masterpieces, with Alessandro Striggio’s monumental Missa Sopra Ecco Sì Beato Giorno at its heart. This unforgettable Proms 2025 concert offered a rare glimpse into the majestic compositions of Renaissance court composers.
A Lost Masterpiece: The Rediscovery of Alessandro Striggio’s Mass
Born in Mantua in 1536, Alessandro Striggio was a court composer for the Medicis in Florence, celebrated as a musical propagandist. His compositions, like the recently rediscovered Missa Sopra Ecco Sì Beato Giorno, were created with diplomatic grandeur in mind, designed to captivate royalty and dignitaries across Europe. Thought to be lost for 400 years, this choral masterpiece for 40 to 60 voices became the centerpiece of the evening’s program, transporting the audience to the stunning acoustics of Renaissance Italy.
The concert opened with a theatrical procession, as singers and instrumentalists filed onto the stage while performing plainchant in honor of the Virgin Mary. This seamless transition from medieval harmonies into the lavish warmth of Orazio Benevolo’s Laetatus Sum perfectly set the tone for the evening.
Le Concert Spirituel: Masters of Authenticity
Founded by Hervé Niquet in 1987, Le Concert Spirituel brought their unparalleled expertise to the Royal Albert Hall. Their performance included a brilliant recording repertoire of Renaissance and Baroque sacred music, ensuring authenticity and artistic excellence throughout. The highlight of the program was the awe-inspiring 40-part Striggio motet, which filled the hall with ethereal harmonies that echoed the grand cathedrals of Florence.
However, the musicians’ decision to perform in a closed-circle formation presented challenges for live attendees. While favorable for a radio broadcast, this setup fragmented the sound balance, inadvertently distancing parts of the audience from the immersive experience. Despite this, the beauty of the compositions—particularly the supersized Agnus Dei and jubilant Osanna in Excelsis—left a lasting impression on all present.
Rare Gems of Renaissance Music
Beyond Striggio’s work, the concert delivered equally mesmerizing performances of other renowned Renaissance pieces. Benevolo’s striking Magnificat alternated intricate vocal verses with dramatic instrumental ensembles, while Palestrina’s motets, enhanced by the occasional inclusion of sackbuts (Renaissance brass instruments), added authenticity rarely experienced in live settings. Notable rarities like Domenico Massenzio’s Filiae Jerusalem, performed by an ensemble of female voices, further enriched the experience.
Relive the Magic
For those who missed the performance, the full concert is available to stream on BBC Sounds until 12 October 2025. If you want to immerse yourself further in similar Renaissance experiences, consider adding the album “Striggio: Mass in 40 Parts” by Le Concert Spirituel to your collection. It offers a beautifully recorded version of much of this repertoire and delivers the grandeur of Florence in the comfort of your living room. Purchase it here.
The Proms continue until 13 September, promising more spectacular musical discoveries from a wide range of genres.
