Part of the Roman River Festival 2024 - See all concerts here.

‘Con un non so che di frizzante’ – with a little something sparkling – is how the poet Giulio Strozzi (1574) described the essence of the madrigal: a short poem, flexible in rhyme and rhythm, beloved of poets for brief, touching scenes of love and longing.

Join us for a celebration of the madrigal’s transformative journey from gentle partsong to one of the dramatic cornerstones of opera and the staple of every composer, becoming a vehicle for a new means of expression, rather like the string quartet in the time of Beethoven.

Launching their new CD, ‘The Madrigal Reimagined', in London and Wivenhoe this week, The Monteverdi String Band take their inspiration from the sound, style and repertoire of the early violin consort, using seventeenth-century instruments to create a unique sound ‘quite unlike any that of any other ensemble I know that plays this music’ ­(Planet Hugill - read the full review here). Presenting madrigals in diverse settings from solo voice and lute to a full string band, with or without voice, they explore the world of the madrigal, with Monteverdi’s powerfully poignant settings nestling alongside virtuosic ornamental reworkings of older pieces and framed by short, topical readings from the worlds of music, dance and theatre.

The Wivenhoe Youth Choir will also be performing at this concert under the direction of Ben Vonberg-Clark; as part of its committment to bring the joy of music shared to young people, the Roman River Festival has fostered a collaboration offering the children the chance to sing with this outstanding professional group in the beautiful setting of St. Mary's, Wivenhoe.

Duration: approx. 1 hour 45 mins (incl. 20-minute interval).

Planning: Doors open from 6.30 for 7pm start. Please allow ample time for parking.

**Please note the earlier start time of 7pm for this event**

PROGRAMME

Claudio Merulo (1533–1604) Canzona 18 (strings)
Johann Nauwach (1595–1630) Cruda Amarilli (voice, lute)
Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643) Cruda Amarilli (strings)

Reading: Giovanni Artusi (1540–1613) The Imperfections of Modern Music

Laurencini da Roma Preludium in G (lute solo)
Oliver Webber Diminutions for soprano and bass on Vestiva i colli (Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, c.1525–1594) (voice, strings)
        Diminutions on Anchor che col partire (Cipriano de Rore, c.1515–1565) (voice, lute)

Reading: Emanuele Tesauro (1592–1675) Pleasant and Unpleasant Sounds

Claudio Monteverdi Ah, dolente partita (voice, strings)
        Entrata and Ballo (from Il Ballo dell’Ingrate) (strings)
        Ahi, troppo è duro (from Il Ballo dell’Ingrate) (tutti)

Reading: Fabrizio Caroso (c.1527–1605) The dancer

Cristofano Malvezzi (1547–1599) Sinfonia a 6 (strings, lute)
Giulio Caccini (c.1550–1618) Io che dal ciel (voice, strings)
Emilio de' Cavaliere (1554/7 - 1612) O che nuovo miracolo

INTERVAL

Claudio Monteverdi Instrumental and vocal highlights from 'L’Orfeo, una favola in musica' ('Orpheus, a tale told in music')
feat. selected choruses sung by the Wivenhoe Youth Choir

Oliver Webber | violin and director

Theresa Caudle | violin
Wendy Kelly | viola
David Brooker | viola
Mark Caudle| bass violin

Guest Artists:

Hannah Ely | soprano
Toby Carr| lute and theorbo

Also featuring the Wivenhoe Youth Choir conducted by Choir Director Ben Vonberg-Clark.

Tickets £25 – £40 (£15 for under 30s and £20 for Parents of choristers - please click Band B to choose this ticket)