Venetian Christmas Vespers

Claudio Monteverdi 1567-1643

Tuesday 4 December 1990, 8.00pm

Pre-concert talk 7.30pm

Sacred Heart Cathedral
Hill Street
Wellington

Monteverdi's Vespro della beata Vergine, published in 1610, is rightly regarded as one of the masterpieces of the l7th century. Only in recent years, however, has it been realized that the Selva Morale e Spirituale (published in 1640 when Monteverdi was 73 years old) contains all the music for several more complete Vespers services. This enormous collection of sacred music gathers together Psalm settings, two Magnificats, hymns, and motets written by Monteverdi during his period as maestro di cappella at St Mark's in Venice - a post he had held since 1612.

Programme

Toccata Quinta sopra i pedali per l'organo, e senza: Girolamo Frescobaldi
Deus in adjutorium: plainsong
Dixit Dominus: Claudio Monteverdi
Sonata 'La Bellina': Tarquinio Merula
Confitebor tibi: Monteverdi
Sonata I: Girolamo Fantini
Beatus Vir: Monteverdi
Sonata 'La Sfondrata': Nicolo Corradini
Laudate pueri: Monteverdi
Sonata in Eco: Biagio Marini
Laudate Dominum: Monteverdi
Sonata VIII: Fantini
Christe Redemptor Omnium: Monteverdi
Toccata Quarti Toni: Frescobaldi
Magnificat: Monteverdi