Freddi Vespers of 1616

Ripieno Choir

The Ripieno Choir has long enjoyed the challenges and rewards that come from performing little known, or recently rediscovered, works from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. We were absolutely delighted, then, when we were contacted by The Gonzaga Band offering us the opportunity to perform this forgotten masterpiece by Amadio Freddi, which they had recently unearthed. Freddi, who was maestro di cappella of Treviso Cathedral during Monteverdi’s tenure at St Mark’s in Venice, composed his Messa, vespro et compieta in 1616. The unusual scoring set Freddi apart from his Venetian contemporaries, fusing elements of trio sonata with the concertato motet. Described as ‘Luminous vocal textures and sparkling instrumental writing, together with harmonic originality and melodic invention’ the Freddi Vespers reveal a fascinating composer with a unique voice. The Ripieno Choir are immensely excited to be joined by The Gonzaga Band themselves to perform what we believe will be the first ever choral performance in the UK of Freddi’s Vespers, and certainly the first in modern times.