Monteverdi’s Vespers is one of the great pillars of sacred music from the Baroque era. Composed in 1610 while in the service of Duke Vincenzo Gonzaga of Mantua, the publication of the Vespers seems to have helped Monteverdi to advance his professional standing in that three years later he was appointed to the post of maestro di capella at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, a position he was to hold until his death in 1643. The work derives its structure from the traditional evening prayer of the cathedrals and monastic communities, beginning dramatically with the introductory verse, “O God, come to my assistance…”, continuing with the five evening psalms and concluding with the great canticle known by its Latin incipit, the Magnificat. Sacred Concerti serve as musical interludes between the psalms and the ordinary elements of the Vespers service.
Monteverdi was determined to demonstrate an ability to take the inherited early musical tradition for the singing of the psalms and create something remarkably new and invigorating. His setting of the Vespers reflects his sure knowledge of the venerable chant practice and his forward thinking compositional skills that combine to create one of the great monuments of music history. Soloists Celena Shafer, Rachel Morrison, Brian Stucki and Michael Aiello will join the visiting early music instrumentalists, violinists Alexander and Aubrey Woods and Utah Symphony musicians Rainer Eudeikis and Jens TenBroek. Click on our 'Music' tab and select 'Concerts and Performances' to request passes today.
