Priest, scholar, mystic, singer, organist and composer - six persons all rolled into one. That is, quite simply, why Victoria is the most outstanding composer of the Renaissance.

Five years ago, Harry Christophers and The Sixteen recorded and toured a brand new version of Victoria’s Requiem to sold-out venues across the UK. The ensemble will continue its exploration of the music of this great Spanish composer in 2011 bringing his unique sound to ever wider audiences. To mark the 400th anniversary of his death, a brand new recording of works by Victoria will be released in February. On this recording, The Sixteen explores some of the sumptuous music Victoria wrote in honour of the Virgin Mary. Whilst his glorious Missa Alma Redemptoris Mater forms the central part of the disc, it is the intensely beautiful Marian motets which define Victoria as the greatest composer of the Renaissance.

The Sixteen’s 2011 Choral Pilgrimage will take this programme of music to cathedrals, churches and concert halls throughout the country including London, Edinburgh, York, Cambridge, Wells, Liverpool, Birmingham and Swansea.