Tallis Festival

[1] The festival usually included Thomas Tallis's Spem in alium for 40-part choir, but in addition commissioned new works by modern composers.

Tentatio, meaning Temptation, is based on a Latin biblical text about Christ spending 40 days in the wilderness and being tempted by the Devil.

The text is extensive and covers poems about Lindisfarne, and the detailed geography of the area, including ship wrecks and lighthouses.

It is also a love song and includes text taken from a Valentine's Day card as part of its inspiration.

The first performance of Love You Big as the Sky was broadcast in full on BBC Radio 3 as part of the Festival coverage.