THE Ebor Singers open their 2014 season this Saturday with a candlelit concert in the medieval All Saints Church, Pavement, York.

Fresh from being named by the BBC Music Magazine as one of York’s musical shining lights, the York choir presents Allegri and Victoria: Music for Holy Week from Rome.

The 7.30pm programme of iconic Renaissance music for Lent includes Allegri’s mesmerising setting of Miserere, Lotti’s poignant Crucifixus and Victoria’s Lamentations and Responsories.

“The music is taken from the evening of service of Tenebrae, one of the most dramatic services of Holy Week, which follows the journey of Jesus to the Cross’, says Paul Gameson, the choir’s director.

“During the service, candles are extinguished one by one, representing Jesus’ disciples leaving his side. Don’t worry, we won’t be reconstructing this three-hour service, but we will be drawing on its drama.”

Saturday’s programme establishes the theme of the choir’s year ahead. “The 2014 season features musical responses to the arrival of darkness – whether found in the liturgy for Compline or Vespers, the Holy Week service of Tenebrae or madrigals – from the Renaissance to the present day,” says Paul.

Highlights will include Monteverdi’s Vespers on June 28; Bach, Byrd and Kerry Andrew for the York Late Music series at the Unitarian Chapel, St Saviourgate, on October 4; and Vespers for St Cecilia on November 22.

The choir’s next concert will be Into Darkness on April 11 when the York Minster performance will progress from candlelight to pitch black with music by James Macmillan, Eric Whitacre, Rachmaninov and Brahms. “The darkness will be a very different aural experience for both singers and listeners,” promises Paul.

“We’re looking forward to a successful year, which has started well with our latest CD of music from medieval York, Mystery And Miracle, receiving a five-star review in January’s Musical Opinion magazine.”

• Tickets for Saturday are available in advance from the York Minster box office or on the door, priced £12, concessions £10, students £3. For more details of the new season, visit eborsingers.org