Masters of the Baroque - works for voice and organ by Purcell and Monteverdi

Music from the early seventeenth century is being enjoyed more and more as the extraordinary variety and sensuality of this music is becoming ever better known. At the forefront of the musical transition to the new 'baroque' style was Claudio Monteverdi, whose life and work was of immense significance not only in Italy but in the whole of Europe. In Britain the influence of Puritanism held back developments for a while, but the restoration of Charles II later in the century allowed brilliant musicians such as Henry Purcell to flourish.

Both these composers held posts as church musicians - Purcell was organist in Westminster Abbey and Monteverdi maestro di capella in St Mark's Venice, but they also made enormous contributions in the secular field. This short recital features some of the best known songs from the two composers operas and masques as well as lively sacred music. Several examples of Purcell's organ music add further variety to this recital.