Music in context, little-known repertoire, excellent performers and a drive to enhance rural tourism are the motivation behind this all-encompassing cultural event. The Hilliard Ensemble, created in 1974 and comprising some of the most distinguished experts in the singing of early music, will be the group performing this year’s roving concerts.

Since the 1980s the Hilliards have earned a solid international reputation for their work, spreading repertoire that ranges from the School of Nôtre-Dame to the classical polyphony of the 16th century, and more recently the baroque. The Hilliard Ensemble has also shown interest in contemporary works, performing and recording pieces by composers such as Arvo Párt and Ivan Moody, to cite just two names, and stimulating creativity with works composed specifically for the ensemble.

As has become the custom with The Way in Castilla and Leon, the Hilliard Ensemble will present a variety of programmes, three of them to be performed in a single concert, and the fourth to be sung in as many churches along the Way of St. James. The first three recitals are dedicated to the fascinating figure of Carlo Gesualdo, Prince of Venosa. In its first three programmes the Hillliard Ensemble will perform his Tenebrae Responsories for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday, published in Naples in 1611.

By contrast, the other programme contributes to the spreading of Spain’s musical heritage with the Missa Mille Regretz by Cristóbal de Morales, a parody Mass based on the famous chanson of the same name by Josquin des Prez, accompanied by motets by Guerrero himself and other earlier and relatively little known such as Francisco de Peñalosa or Pedro de Escobar.

Works by Gesualdo will be performed 19 July (Church of San Nicolas in San Juan de Ortega), 20th (La Merced in Burgos), 22nd (Santa María del Castillo in Frómista), while the Morales programme is scheduled for the 23rd (monastery of San Zoilo in Carrión de los Condes), 24th (San Francisco in Villafranca del Bierzo) and 25th (the cathedral of Leon).