ONE of the country’s finest chamber choirs, The Tallis Scholars come to St Mary’s Church, Dorchester, on 11th November, in a programme that celebrates the 500th anniversary of the birth of one of the greatest musical figures of the Renaissance, Giovanni Pierluigi Palestrina.

Over the past five decades, Peter Phillips and The Tallis Scholars have helped to establish the sacred vocal music of the Renaissance as one of the great repertoires of Western classical music.

The programme will include one of Palestrina’s 107 settings of the Mass, alongside several of his most moving motets. In a striking dialogue across centuries, the concert also features works by the renowned Estonian composer Arvo Pärt, whose contemplative sound world provides a modern counterpoint to the Renaissance master.

Founder and conductor Peter Phillips says: “There would be many different ways of acknowledging Palestrina’s achievement … and making a comparison with one of his peers. Although Pärt doesn’t write polyphony in the way Palestrina exemplified, he can create an atmosphere in his music which sits well alongside that of the Renaissance master – their two views, old and contemporary, of the Nunc dimittis text are fascinating.”

This Dorchester performance offers a rare chance to hear one of the world’s most celebrated vocal ensembles in the intimate and resonant setting of St Mary’s Church. dorchesterarts.org.uk