28 July – 3 August 2025 | Tewkesbury Abbey
Tewkesbury Abbey is delighted to welcome visitors once again to Musica Deo Sacra, a unique and much-loved festival of sacred music in its glorious medieval setting. Now in its 56th year, this renowned week-long festival brings together professional and semi-professional singers to perform some of the finest music ever written for the church.
Unlike a concert series, Musica Deo Sacra is a living liturgical experience, with nine choral services at the heart of the festival. From plainsong to contemporary masterpieces, the music forms part of the worship, offering both spiritual depth and musical excellence.
Highlights this year include:
- Commemorating 500 years since the birth of Palestrina and 400 years since the death of Orlando Gibbons
- Celebrating Sir John Rutter’s 80th birthday, featuring some of his finest works
- Performances of iconic works by Duruflé, Tavener, Purcell, Pärt, Howells, Walton, and many more
- Special Milton Organ Recital by Paul Walton (Bristol Cathedral)
- Lecture by The Very Revd Dr Simon Jones, Dean of Lincoln – ‘Whither English Cathedrals? The honest reflections of a baby dean’.
- Chamber concert featuring harpsichordist Nathaniel Mander in the atmospheric Old Baptist Chapel
Festival Director Carleton Etherington leads this extraordinary musical gathering alongside Organist Paul Walton and the Musica Deo Sacra choir.
All are warmly invited to attend the services, which are free of charge, with donations welcomed to support the ongoing work of the festival. Concerts, recitals and talks are ticketed, see website for further details:
www.tewkesburyabbey.org.uk/musica-deo-sacra/