2025-2026 | 30th Anniversary Season
All Concerts 7:30 pm
Pre-Concert Lectures 6:30 pm
St. Ignatius of Antioch Episcopal Church
552 West End Ave. (Enter on W. 87th St.), NYC
October 25, 2025
The Divine Right of Kings
Music from the Chapels Royal of James I and Charles I, by Gibbons, Tomkins, and Weelkes
This year marks the anniversary of the death of Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625) one of the most beloved English composers of the early Stuart Dynasty. Appointed to the Chapel Royal during the early days of James I’s reign he was a student of William Byrd and a prolific composer of both sacred and secular music. We will celebrate his accomplishments alongside those of his esteemed colleagues, Thomas Tomkins (1572 – 1656) and the notorious and eccentric Thomas Weelkes (c. 1576 – 1623). This concert will be part of the Gibbons 400/Scarlatti 300 festival at St. Ignatius of Antioch during the fall of 2025.
March 7, 2026
Nocturnes
Tudor Settings of the
Lamentations of Jeremiah
Amid the religious upheaval of the Anglican Reformation—when such readings no longer had an official liturgical context—settings of The Lamentations of Jeremiah were often performed privately in homes. These texts saw renewed interest among underground recusant Catholics, who are believed to have found in them coded messages of faith and resilience. When viewed through a modern lens, these sometimes disturbing texts remain especially relevant. From the devastation in Gaza to the unrest in Minneapolis, images of ruined cities and oppressed and afflicted people strongly resonate with modern audiences. Renowned Tudor composers Thomas Tallis (c. 1505–1585), Robert White (c. 1538–1574), and Alfonso Ferrabosco the Elder (1543–1588) understood the power of music to communicate far more than simple melody. Their evocative musical soundscapes, created in the 16th century, still profoundly move and transport listeners today. Join us for the second of our 30th anniversary concerts and reflect with us on not only these composers and their historical context but also on our world and the enduring relevance of Jeremiah’s Laments for a fallen people.
May 16, 2026
A Path to Transendence
Music from the Field of Stars
With Special Guests Concordian Dawn
As a follow up to our wildly popular Carmina Burana concert last season, we will once again join forces with Concordian Dawn in an exciting second collaboration featuring medieval polyphony and pilgrim songs. Drawn from sources along the road to Santiago de Compostela, the two ensembles will perform lively monophonic songs from the Cantigas de Santa Maria, alongside elaborate motets from the Las Huelgas Codex, and devotional music for the cult of St. Jamies from the Codex Calixtinus. Our journey down the Camino promises to be a joyful and exuberant finale to our 30th season.
We want everyone to be able to enjoy our concerts, and we understand that not everyone may be able to afford the published ticket prices. If you would like a ticket to one of our concerts, don't hesitate to contact info@polyhymnia-nyc.org, and we will arrange for a pay-as-you-will or free ticket.
