The musical magic of 17th-century Venice comes to Exeter

Baroque Venice in all its musical glory will be brought to life in Exeter Cathedral on 18 March with a large-scale performance of Monteverdi’s Vespers, conjured up by the combined forces of Exeter Philharmonic Choir, Devon County Junior Choir, top professional singers and the internationally renowned early music group, His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts. 

Exeter Philharmonic Choir is delighted to be joined in this musical adventure by approximately 40 boys and girls aged under thirteen from the Devon County Junior Choir. The children will be involved in four movements of this challenging work, which demands great versatility from performers.

The 17th-century Italian musical prodigy Claudio Monteverdi wrote his Vespers (an ancient form of evening prayer) as a magnificent representation of early Baroque music. The full forces of choirs and orchestra, including blazing trumpets, herald the opening, followed by varied movements featuring choir, orchestra, children’s choir and six soloists in different combinations. 

Many of the movements require the singers to divide into two choirs, as some ‘rhythmic battling’ takes place. What makes this piece especially challenging and different from other large choral works is the constant interweaving of orchestra and soloists, which requires huge concentration and understanding of the musical score.

Exeter Philharmonic Choir’s conductor, Musical Director Howard Ionascu says, “Each movement has its own style and character, and the audience will experience different aural effects as the musicians vary their singing positions to make the most of Exeter’s Cathedral’s splendid acoustics. EPC is delighted to welcome the young singers of Devon County Junior Choir, directed by Andrew Downton, whose clear treble voices play the crucial part of the ‘ripieno’ choir. It’s a wonderful thing to have these young musicians so fully involved in the concert.”

The two choirs will be joined by six outstanding soloists who have performed this work many times around the world: Amy Carson, Kirsty Hopkins, Peter Davoren, Mark Dobell, Robert Davies and Benjamin McKee. Their solo parts demand both precision and virtuoso singing.

His Majestys Sagbutts & Cornetts is a group of virtuoso wind players who specialise in playing Renaissance and Baroque music in historically appropriate styles on original instruments. The noble sounds of sackbuts and cornetts were among the most versatile instrumental colours available to composers in Monteverdi’s day. The instruments are not only fascinating to listen to but also intriguing to look at. 

Adding to the musical atmosphere of Venice in 1610, EPC’s Associate Director of Music Stephen Tanner will be playing the Cathedral’s chamber organ.