Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 with Pacific Collegium and The Whole Noyse Oct 30 and 31
Monteverdi's masterwork Vespro della Beata Vergine (Vespers of the Blessed Virgin) will be performed as it was meant - as part of a Christian service at St. Paul's on October 31 at 3:00. (Please note, vespers would normally come later in the day, but this is Halloween.) This ground-breaking work brought together the ancient melodies of plainchant, the contemplative counterpoint of Renaissance polyphony, and the exuberant, highly emotive and revolutionary rhetoric of opera, an art form just coming into its own.
On October 30th and 31st, director Christopher Kula will lead a stellar vocal and instrumental ensemble, including sopranos Tonia D'Amelio and Jennifer Paulino, tenor Brian Thorsett, baritone Hugh Davies, and acclaimed early brass consort The Whole Noyse, with plainchant sung by the trebles of Chapel College Men and Boys Ensemble (boys from our Evensong choir).
For concert-goers, and for those in San Francisco:
Saturday, October 30, 7:30pm
St. Gregory of Nyssa, 500 De Haro Street, San Francisco.
Tickets are $15 - $45 preferred seating, $30 general admission, $25 San Francisco Music Society Members, $20 Seniors, $15 Student / Consideration. Tickets at http://pacificcollegium.org/tickets
To hear it in a Vespers service, as it was written, and for those in the East Bay:
Sunday, October 31, 3pm
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Ave., Oakland
A collection will be taken to support Pacific Collegium.
The Vespers service on Sunday (which is free) is a wonderful time to introduce newcomers to the high standard of liturgy, sublime music and exceptional community of St. Paul's.
Bring your friends, and tell everyone you know!
