Bath Choral Society - Monteverdi Vespers
Bath Choral Society’s first performance under the baton of its new Musical Director, Will Dawes, will be the Monteverdi Vespers of 1610, to be performed in Bath Abbey on Saturday 10th March 2012. They will perform with seven extremely talented soloists who have recently taken part in performances of the work with the Kings Consort, the Gabrieli Choir and the Monteverdi Choir. They will also be joined by the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble who, after winning the 2011 Gramophone award for Early Music, are at the forefront of the Early Music scene.
Will Dawes said “I'm delighted to be directing the first performance of the Monteverdi Vespers given by Bath Choral Society. It was written for the grand spaces of St Mark‘s Basilica in Venice, so the ethereal acoustics of Bath Abbey are perfect to experience the piece, if you've never done so before. With its vibrant, energetic rhythms as well as soothing tunes that will tug at even the most stubborn heart strings, this is simply one of the greatest choral works and a piece that truly entertains.”
The Monteverdi Vespers attracted renewed popularity in 2010 during its 400th anniversary, which alerted music lovers everywhere to the richness and quality of the work. The choir is expecting a high level of interest following full houses for its acclaimed performances of [The] Messiah with Jeremy Summerly in December 2011, building on the fine reputation that the choir has earned under its previous Musical Director, Matthew Bale.
Tickets go on sale on 30th January and are available from choir members or Bath Box Office on 01225 463362 boxoffice@bathfestivals.org.uk. Further details from www.bath-choral-society.org.uk