Gregorian Chant: Midnight Mass for Queen Mary Tudor

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Until the recent discovery of his will, the biographical mist hanging over John Sheppard (c.1515-59) was virtually impenetrable. We still know nothing of his early years but at least we know a good deal about his later professional life.

In 1541 he became informator choristarum at Magdalen College, Oxford, a post he held until around 1547. At about this time Sheppard moved to London, where his name appears in Chapel Royal lists until his death in January 1559.

Musica Contexta translates literally as ‘music interwoven’, reflecting the group’s commitment to presenting early music in the musical context of its original conception and function. The group, which varies in number and disposition depending on the musical demands of each programme it presents, was formed in 1991 and made its London début the following year.