Christmas Vespers in Venice
I FAGIOLINI / THE ENGLISH CORNETT AND SACKBUT ENSEMBLE
Robert Hollingworth director
(Hazard Chase Christmas Festival) St John's Smith Square, London 20 December 2005

Monteverdi Dixit Dominus; Confitebor tibi; Beatus vir; Laudate pueri; Laudate Dominum
Grandi Plorabo die ac nocte
G. Gabrieli Quem vidistis pastores; Magnificat

A packed St John's audience (they ran out of programmes) enjoyed an exceptional concert of Venetian Baroque music, contrived as an imaginary recreation of a Christmas Vespers service c.1635. Robert Hollingworth marshalled his forces with aplomb and the whole was devised to spotlight each of the singers in turn, their individuality contributing to the pleasure of the evening.

I Fagiolini was supported by Edington Schola Cantorum, who framed the ecclesiastical succession with chants. The main sequence was of vocal and instrumental music which may have been heard at St Mark's c.1635. Alongside some of Monteverdi's sacred music, Grandi's lament was one of several memorable rarities, and perhaps the most entrancing moment of all was Fiona Russell's elaborately embellished melody in a piece by the cornetto virtuoso Bassano.

There were two chamber organs either side of the platform and the spatial element was realised with two violins and two theorbos to ensure variety of texture, and by singers moving into the gallery.

I Fagiolini is reviving its recent Monteverdi success with a final run of performances of The Full Monteverdi touring England and the Netherlands 16 January to 1 February 2006 (see schedule). It is imperative that the chance to make a video/DVD of this unique event somewhere should not be lost!

CD recommendations: Hear THE ENGLISH CORNETT AND SACKBUT ENSEMBLE play Music from the time of Claudio Monteverdi on Deux Elles DXL 913 and see Musical Pointers review of Monteverdi's Sacred Music (Hyperion CDA67519)