Claudio Monteverdi "Vespers"
St. James' Parish Church
8 Apr 17 - 19:30
Presented by Wetherby Choral Society. Click through for more information.
“This is one of the most exciting things we have ever done!”, proclaimed Musical Director John Dunford to his choir at the start of their rehearsals after Christmas.
Claudio Monteverdi - “Vespers”
Saturday, 8th April 2017 at 7.30 pm.
at St James’ Parish Church, Wetherby.
Described by one commentator as one of the most extraordinary job applications ever, when Monteverdi submitted his music as an audition for a post in Venice, his “Vespers” is a milestone for any Choral Society It is a first performance for this Society and for nearly all its members.
With the singers divided into two separate choirs, rehearsals are, (paraphrasing various members’ opinions,) challenging but at the same time stimulating and immensely rewarding as everyone gets to grips with the wonderful harmonies and complex rhythms.
When both choirs sing together they produce an amazing, almost ethereal wall of sound. When apart, a perfect dialogue.
“Astonishing to think”, said one chorus member , “that this piece was written just over 400 years ago!” “A unique experience”, added another, “Absolutely unique!”
And for the listener. Not to be missed. Perhaps close your eyes for a moment as the beautiful verses are passed from one choir across to the other, and be transported to where Monteverdi was ‘maestro di cappella’, the glory that was and is St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice.
Soloists. Rebecca Lea, (Soprano), Ildika Allen, (Soprano), Matthew Lennox, (Countertenor), Ronan Busfield, (Tenor), Stephen Jeffes (Tenor), Alastair Ollerenshaw, (Bass), Phil Wilcox, (Bass).
Orchestra. The Wetherby Pro Musica Orchestra.
Tickets, £15.00, (Under 18’s free) from Kathy Hart, 07860 454894, any Society member, or from St.James’, Wetherby, Parish Church Office, 01937 583074, or on the door on the night.