The Ripieno Choir | Monteverdi's 1610 Vespro della Beata Vergine

The Ripieno Choir rounds off our 70th, and Monteverdi’s 450th, anniversary celebrations with a performance of his spectacular collection of vocal and instrumental music in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Monteverdi’s 1610 publication of music for a service of Vespers is one of the most investigated, argued-over and loved in the history of music. However, our conductor David Hansell has studied the music and the scholarly arguments over many years, and is absolutely confident that he has ‘got it right’…

All the music was written for performance during church services and sounds at its best when at least something of that context is re-created with the addition of instrumental music, simple plainchant and choral motets. Not only will The Ripieno Choir’s performance include these, but we shall also be using the full range of instruments specified by Monteverdi – balanced six part ensembles of strings and brass, supported by organ and one of the largest lutes in captivity.

In our beautiful and relatively intimate venue you will be able to hear and enjoy them all!