Renaissance England's William Byrd (1540-1623) composed some of the most beautiful and stirring music for voices in the 16th century. Byrd published his Mass settings for three and five voices between 1593 and 1595, in very small books without title or cover pages. These are very personal, intimate works; masterpieces for unaccompanied voices. The program will also include Thomas Tallis' soaring Spem in alium, the famous 40-part motet, performed with one voice on each part.