About

The Renaissance was a time of eager experimentation by composers as they explored the heights of divine devotion and the depths of human passion. And often, the same composers would go to both extremes! “Sacrilicious” is a lively journey with Helios Vocal Ensemble through some of history’s most daring vocal music, both sacred and profane, featuring composers from France, Italy, Spain and Germany, and including rare works by a remarkable sixteenth-century woman.

Helios Vocal Ensemble is Atlantic Canada’s premier vocal ensemble, performing sacred and secular music from the Renaissance and beyond. Founded in 2015, they have already appeared in many of the region’s leading chamber music series, including the Indian River Festival, Cecilia Concerts, the Three Churches Festival and Musique Royale. Their program for Concerts aux Îles du Bic in Québec, Terrestre-Céleste (Heaven and Earth), was a 2019 OPUS Prize finalist, and their début recording, An Illuminated Christmas, was nominated for Classical CD of the Year in 2018 by Music Nova Scotia, with a second disc of madrigals from England, Italy, France and Spain coming this year. For more information on Helios Vocal Ensemble, including recordings, video and biographies, visit heliosvocal.ca.