Monteverdi: Vespers of 1610

London Concert Choir

For his glorious Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Monteverdi set a series of psalms, motets and Magnificats from the evening service for Marian feast days. Intimate solos are contrasted with the grandest of choral and instrumental writing, as he builds astonishingly varied and innovative musical structures onto the traditional plainchants. The result is a monumental masterpiece, widely regarded as the most significant work of sacred music before Bach.

London Concert Choir and their Music Director Mark Forkgen will be joined by six excellent soloists – Rachel Elliott and Rebecca Outram (sopranos), Nicholas Pritchard and Bradley Smith (tenors) and Giles Underwood and Colin Campbell (basses) – while the QuintEssential ensemble will contribute the splendidly authentic sound of cornetts, sackbuts and other instruments of the period.

Originally founded in 1960, London Concert Choir is one of London’s leading amateur choirs. With Mark Forkgen the choir regularly appears at all the major London concert venues and is notable for the conviction and expressiveness of its performances in an unusually broad repertoire.