The 10th century drama "Visitatio Sepulchri" was introduced to the liturgy for Easter Day at Winchester in the 10th century, and was a prototype for the numerous mediaeval religious dramas, including mystery plays, that were to emerge over the following six centuries. It features the dialogue from the Gospels between the angel and the women at the tomb - Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and others.

This setting harmonises the original plainchant while capturing something of the drama by casting a high voice as the angel while the lower voices of the choir represent the women at the tomb. The angel's gentle opening question ("Whom do you seek?") hovers over a static choral cloud, answered with poignant harmonies by the women as they name Jesus, the crucified. A triumphantly high retort from the angel ("Non est hic") leads to a more joyful affirmation from the women, as they exhort all people to praise God ("Alleluia") through flowing triadic harmonies. A solemn unison declaration of thanks to God and a more florid declaration of praise usher in a richly-textured reverent homophony, inviting the faithful to view the empty tomb and reflect anew on the miracle of Christ's resurrection.

The music could serve particularly well as an introit, especially if it precedes a familiar Easter hymn such as "Jesus Christ is risen today" or "Alleluia, alleluia, hearts to heaven and voices raise".

The soprano solos can be sung by a semichorus or by all treble/soprano voices.