The Tallis Scholars present War and Peace at Detroit Cathedral

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I, the Cathedral of the Most Blessed Sacrament, in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Detroit, will host a historic ‘War and Peace’ concert performed by The Tallis Scholars at 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14, 2018. Doors open at 7:15 p.m. Free, secure parking is adjacent to the cathedral, which is located at 9844 Woodward Avenue in Detroit.

In cooperation with the Michigan Military Heritage Museum, the evening will open with a Michigan WWI commemoration featuring reenactors dressed in American and Canadian uniforms. There will be a presentation of the American and British flags, a brief "Four Minute Man” speech, and a recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Finally, the cathedral clergy will offer a commemoration of the fallen, in whose memory the sanctuary crucifix and rood beam were dedicated in 1919 when the cathedral was built.

The music of Josquin, Guerrero, Pärt, Mouton, Lobo, Victoria, Tavener, and Palestrina loosely follows the form of the Mass, honoring all who passed in the conflict. The war-like music comes from the tradition of the Armed Man (L’homme armé) and a song describing a battle (La batalla). The peaceful element of the program is provided by two selections from Victoria’s 6-voice Requiem Mass and partly by some deeply moving funeral pieces: Tavener’s work was sung at the funeral of Princess Diana; Mouton’s at the funeral of Anne of Brittany; and Lobo’s at the funeral of Philip II of Spain. Also to be featured is Arvo Pärt’s beautiful The Woman with the Alabaster Box, in which Christ refers to his own burial.

Tickets are $30 general admission, or $100, which includes premium seating and a reception after the concert. You may order tickets online at cathedral.aod.org, or by calling 313-237-5782.

About the Tallis Scholars: For more than four decades, England’s world-renowed Tallis Scholars have brought sacred vocal music of the Renaissance to audiences in churches, cathedrals, and venues all over the world, from the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City to the Opera House in Syndney, Austrailia. Called “one of the UK’s greatest cultural exports” by BBC Radio 3, the Tallis Scholars are known for bringing fresh interpretations to music by contemporary as well as past composers, such as Pärt, Tavener, Whitacre, Muhly and Jackson.

This concert is supported by the MICHIGAN COUNCIL FOR ARTS AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS.