In a distinguished musical career spanning almost five decades, Richard Lester’s musical prowess has come full circle. A fellow of the London College of Music, he gave organ recitals at many famous venues early on in his career. Lester was recently awarded a prominent position in the Penguin Guide to the 1000 Finest Classical Recordings following a long association with Nimbus Records. He also received the ‘outstanding’ accolade in International Record Review in September 2011.

The Schola Gregoriana del Duomo di Bergamo, under the direction of Don Gilberto Sessantini, studies and performs medieval monodic singing, both in the solemn liturgy of Bergamo Cathedral and also in concert with programmes that help to widen the scope of this genre. The members of the Schola who took part in this recording are: Pier Marco Viñas Mazzoleni (soloist), Marco Andreoletti, Ferdinando Asperti, Giuseppe Brisotto, Ezio Buldrin, Roberto Palumbo, Paolo Premoli, Cristian Zampiga.

Don Gilberto is a priest in the Diocese of Bergamo. After his theological studies, he graduated in music with honours from the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Milan, earning distinction in Gregorian chant and sacred music. Since 2001, Don Gilberto has directed the Diocesan School of sacred music: the Accademia Musicale Santa Cecilia di Bergamo. Editorial director of several music magazines of the Casa Musicale Carrara, he has published choral and organ music, plus some recordings of organ improvisations on Gregorian themes.