Cappella Romana presents “A Byzantine Emperor in King Henry’s Court”

Cappella Romana presents “A Byzantine Emperor in King Henry’s Court” with two performances in Portland at 8 p.m. Jan. 21 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 1716 N.W. Davis St, Portland, and 3 p.m. Jan. 22 at The Old Madeleine Church, 3123 N.E. 24th Ave, Portland. Tickets are $5 to $53.

At Christmastide 1400 to 1401, Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Emperor Manuel II Palaiologos paid a visit to King Henry IV at Eltham Palace in London. Seeking aid against the Ottomans, the Byzantine Emperor also brought with him clergy and cantors for prayers and services. New discoveries, researched and led by Alexander Lingas, reveal the mix of liturgical music – in Greek and in Latin – that was performed at this double-royal occasion on Old-Style Christmas, or Jan. 7 by modern reckoning. The concert features Medieval Byzantine Chant, c.1400, Sarum Chant and Polyphony and Music from the Old Hall Manuscript (c.1410-20).