In Festis Sanctae Crucis - Vespers of the Holy Cross

On 15 October at 19:00, the Chapel of the Cultural Centre Convento de S. José in Lagoa will host the performance 🎶IN FESTIS SANCTAE CRUCIS - VESPERS OF THE HOLY CROSS🎼 by the Quarto Tom Ensemble, part of the Informal Early Music Network [ridMusa], and entry is free.

Recent historiography has established the Monastery of Santa Cruz in Coimbra as one of the main political, intellectual, and cultural centres of Europe from its founding by D. Afonso Henriques in 1131 until the late 17th century. This significance was reflected in a vibrant musical life, evidenced by a rich collection now largely preserved in the General Library of the University of Coimbra.

The preserved manuscripts and prints reveal the high level of musical knowledge and practice among the crúzios, in dialogue with major European centres. Recent research also highlights the uniqueness of their liturgical-musical practices, particularly the freedom in adapting texts and melodies. Drawing from crúzio sources and combining research, performance, and recording, this programme focuses on the Office of Vespers, highlighting the specificity of the Santa Cruz repertoire and reaffirming its importance in the European musical context of the 16th and 17th centuries.

ARTISTIC TEAM

Performance | Quarto Tom Ensemble: Eva Braga Simões (soprano); Gabriela Braga Simões (alto); Luís Toscano (tenor); Nuno Mendes (bass)

Artistic Direction | Luís Toscano

Come and see and hear in Lagoa, at the Cultural Centre Convento de S. José! 🙌🤗