Performance: Monteverdi Vespers of 1610 - Manchester 2024

 The Sixteen cond. Harry Christophers at Bridgewater Hall, Manchester. September 30, 2024.

In truth, I don’t listen to this kind of music often and when I do, it’s usually in a recording. The opportunity to see it live and hear the marvellous spatial effects that Monteverdi weaves into the service is rare and so I took up the option.

The disposition of singers and instrumentalists is visible in the photo below. 

Though relatively few in number managed to fill the hall with sound and that is not easy to do in this hall. The soloists coped well with the acoustic which sends the sound upward sometimes.

Monteverdi weaves some sort of magic in this work - a series of vocal and instrumental sections taking us through the service of vespers. There’s a very dramatic curve over 90 or so minutes which I found intricate, beautiful and spellbinding.

There drama is in the voice and orchestral reaction to the word settings. I felt more and more entranced by the players and singers. I’m not one to judge singers or instrumentalists technically but it appeared to be beautifully poised and dramatic. Well worth attending. Christophers and his team made it fresh and uplifting.