In a week of richly dramatic ceremonies, one of the most evocative liturgies in the Catholic celebration of Holy Week is that of Tenebrae. Latin for darkness or shadows, Tenebrae takes place at night in a church illuminated with fifteen candles that one by one are extinguished, eventually leading to the darkness which gives the rite its name. The stark, expressive settings of the responsories by Tomás Luis de Victoria have long been recognised as having a special affinity for this service.

Given there are 18 responsories (to be sung over three nights), Stile Antico sensibly brings a variety of pace to its performances, as well as following the longstanding...