Southampton Philharmonic Choir
Southampton University Philharmonic Choir
The Pilgrims' School Chamber Choir
The Corporation of Musick
Charlotte Ashley soprano
Lucinda Cox soprano
Peter Davoren tenor
James Robinson tenor
Edmund Saddington bass
Simon Gallear bass
David Gibson conductor
Southampton Philharmonic Choir present this jewel of the early Baroque in the magnificent setting of Winchester Cathedral. Performing alongside them are the Southampton University Philharmonic Choir, The Pilgrims' School Chamber Choir, six professional soloists and the Corporation of Musick, a cornett and sackbut ensemble dedicated to recreating the sounds and styles of the music once heard in the royal courts, churches and streets of Renaissance and Baroque Europe.
Vespers, or evening prayers, are part of the Hours of the Divine Office, a set of daily prayers of the Catholic Church, which have remained structurally unchanged for hundreds of years. Monteverdi’s Vespers of the Blessed Virgin are based around several biblical texts traditionally part of the liturgy for several Marian Feasts. This composition is regarded as one of the most ambitious works of religious music before Bach, because of its huge scale, including multiple vocal parts and seven soloists. Although much of the rich choral music is traditional by the standards of the day, the Vespers was ground breaking in its introduction of brass, wind and string instruments, but also in its very florid solo lines associated with the new techniques of Opera. The Vespers is very much a transitional piece, introducing new Baroque features with dramatic expressiveness of vocal virtuosity but retaining many of the glories of 16th Century polyphony. That potent cocktail is part of the great ongoing appeal of the work.
Tickets
Ticket prices: £12, £18, £24, £29 and £34 with concessions.
Over 65s: £1 off all ticket prices
Other discounted groups (disabled, carers accompanying disabled, jobseekers, students and children): half-price. (Wheelchair users and carers: Row N/A only)
Tickets may be bought directly from the Cathedral Box Office 01962 857 275 (open Monday - Friday, 10.00am - 4.00pm, Saturdays 11.00am - 3.00pm, and until 4.00pm concert days), or online.
Booking fees are charged for all online and telephone bookings, £1 per ticket up to a maximum of £5 per transaction. If postage is required a postage fee of 75p will be charged. There is no fee for bookings made in person at the box office
Enquiries may be made by email, but it is not possible make bookings this way.
Telephone: 01962 857275
Email boxoffice@winchester-cathedral.org.uk
