Dublin's Lassus Scholars to sing at major conference in Rome

Lassus Scholars

The Lassus Scholars directed by Dr Ite O'Donovan, an adult chamber choir of Dublin Choral Foundation CLG, are in Rome this week providing all the sacred music for the Third International Conference of English-speaking Catholic Clergy , between Monday 13 January and Friday 17 January. The invitation to sing at the conference came from the Australian Confraternity, the organisers of the week-long event. Representatives of the Irish Embassy to the Holy See will attend some of the performances.

Named after the great Renaissance composer Orlande de Lassus, the Lassus Scholars seek to achieve excellence in expression and interpretation in all musical styles from the 16th century to the present day. Since its establishment in 1996 by Dublin Choral Foundation, under the direction of Ite O'Donovan, the choir has performed many large-scale works at the National Concert Hall as well as rarely performed masterpieces. A scholarship scheme introduced in 2008 facilitates 16 singers in pursuing vocal training

The Lassus Scholars present regular liturgical performances of sacred polyphony by Renaissance composers, including such masterpieces as Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli, at various churches in Dublin and nationally. In particular they sing at St Kevin's Church, Harrington Street where the liturgy of the Tridentine Rite allows scope for complete performances of Mass settings.

The choir has deputized for the resident choir at London's Westminster Cathedral on many occasions and has provided all the sacred music at the Fota International Liturgical Conference held annually in Cork from 2008 to 2019.

Viennese Mass compositions feature in their repertoire and every November the Lassus Scholars give liturgical performances of one of the great Requiems including those by Victoria, Faure, Mozart and Durufle. The choir has performed in many Irish cities, including Cork, Belfast, Limerick and Galway.

The Lassus Scholars has, since its inception, been much in demand for concerts and has performed at the National Gallery, the National Museum, the RDS, City Hall, the Bank of Ireland Arts Centre (now sadly defunct) and at venues outside of Dublin. In October 2014 the singers were invited to participate in a production of The Events during the Dublin Theatre Festival on opening night at the Peacock Theatre. Since April 2015 the Lassus Scholars have participated in the many of the MusicTown Festivals organized by Dublin City Arts Office. The Lassus Scholars has also travelled abroad to perform in many European capitals, Boston & New York.

Having provided all the sacred music at the Conferences for the Confraternity of English speaking Catholic Clergy in Rome in 2010 and 2015 they have been invited back for the 3rd Conference in January 2025 Venues will include the major basilicas of St Paul's outside the Walls (Jan 14th), St Mary Major (Jan 15th), St John Lateran (Jan 16th) and St Peter's (Jan 17th).

The music programme includes Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli, two Mass settings by Orlande de Lassus and Mozart's 'Coronation' Mass.

Dr Ite O'Donovan, Conductor has made a significant contribution to choral music in Dublin for four decades. Her extensive experience as a music educator has enriched the lives of countless young singers, many of whom have since embarked on a career in music as performers, vocal and instrumental, and as teachers. Having commenced her career as a primary school teacher, and from 1980 as vice-principal, Ite simultaneously continued with her musical studies, graduating with a Mus.B. from TCD in 1981 and, in 1986, with an MA in Renaissance Music from QUB. Ite was appointed Director of the Palestrina Choir in 1982 when aged only 26 years and soon forged a path of excellence that gained for the choir an international reputation. During the 1990s She travelled abroad regularly to attend master-classes in conducting.

In 1996 Ite established Dublin Choral Foundation with its constituent choirs the Lassus Scholars and Piccolo Lasso with the aim of bringing the high quality music education hitherto only available in the cathedral choral tradition to young singers in the changing, and oftentimes more secular society of the twenty-first century.

For over three decades her choirs have travelled to many European cities and to Canada, New York, Boston and Moscow, forging a reputation for excellence in performance. She brings to her choirs her vast experience as a choral conductor and teacher, her skills in blending and training voices and her dedication to developing her singers' musical ability and literacy skills.

As an orchestral conductor, Ite has directed a wide range of works from the symphonic and concerto repertoire. She was conductor of the County Kildare Orchestra 1998-2008. She has adjudicated at many major choral events including the festivals in New Ross, Sligo, Carrickmacross, Navan, Derry, Limerick and Cork.

Ite's teaching career continued as Lecturer in musicianship in the Dublin College of Music/DIT Conservatory of Music from 1983 until 2008 when she took early retirement from her whole-time position in order to concentrate on developing her choirs. In 2014 she graduated from UCD with a PhD in Musicology having undertaken major research work into 'Music in Irish Periodical Literature 1770-1970'.

In addition to her work with The Lassus Scholars & Piccolo Lasso Ite also directs Lassus Chamber Choir (professional) in memorable concerts and recordings.

Performance venues will include the four major basilicas in Rome. These are all public Masses.

Tuesday 14 January 10am
St Paul's outside the Walls Basilica -
Music Programme to include: W A Mozart. Coronation Mass K.317 - with orchestra.
Motets: Also Mozart's Laudate Dominum and Ave Verum.
Celebrant: His Eminence Gerhard Cardinal Müller

Wednesday 15 January 3pm.
St Mary Major Basilica
Music Programme to include: Missa Papae Marcelli - G. P. da Palestrina.
Motets: Bruckner: Ave Maria; Victoria: O Magnum mysterium.
Celebrant: His Eminence Robert Cardinal Sarah

Thursday 16 January 3.30pm
St John Lateran Basilica
Music Programme to include: Missa Deus in adjutorium - Orlande de Lassus
Motets: Cibavit eos & Ego sum panis vivus (Orlande de Lassus) and Byrd: Ave verum
Celebrant: His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke

17 Friday January 10am
St Peter's Basilica
Music Programme to include: Missa Certa fortiter - Orlande de Lassus
Motets: Justorum animae & Beati quorum via (Charles Villiers Stanford 1852-1924, born in Dublin).
Celebrant: His Eminence Raymond Cardinal Burke