ALLEGRI Singers return to Brathay and Arnside this weekend with a highly varied programme focussing on two emotions: despair and celebration. Starting with two celebratory anthems by local composer Tom Fryers, Allegri follow with a performance of the six Tenebrae Responsories that Tomas Luis de Victoria wrote for Good Friday.

Those not familiar with Tomas (or Thomé, as he called himself), he was born into a large and influential family near Ávila in 1548, and died in Madrid in 1611. As a choirboy at Avila Cathedral he studied with the leading Spanish composers of his time.

He left his native Spain in 1565, at the age of 17, to study in Rome, and would stay there for more than 20 years, and publish many of his most important works, including, in 1585, his monumental Officium Hebdomae Sanctae.

When he arrived in the Eternal City the musical star was Palestrina (1525-1594) who at that time was Maestro de Capilla at Santa Maria Maggiore among other positions, and later, from 1571, served at the Julian Chapel at St Peter’s.

Tomas, apparently initially supported by a student grant awarded by Philip II of Spain, studied at the German Seminary founded only a few years previously by St Ignatius Loyola. His first major position was as Maestro de Capilla at the

Roman Seminary, taking over from Palestrina. His work as a composer was first noted with his 1572 collection of motets. In 1573 he was also appointed Maestro de Capilla at the German seminary, and in the following year was ordained priest.

Allegri conclude the first half of the concert programme with Lotti's glorious setting of Crucifixus.

The second part begins with setting of the Benedictus and Nunc Dimittis by Henry Purcell, grouped with composer Arvo Part's setting of the Magnificat. The concert ends with three glorious anthems for eight-part choir by Mendelssohn, Rheinberger (Evening Song) and William Harris (Faire is the Heav'n).

Conducted by Owen Davies, performances are on Saturday, April 1 (7.30pm) at the Holy Trinity, Brathay, and on Sunday, April 2 (4.30pm) at St James' Arnside.

There will be retiring collections for church and choir funds.