The period instrument group under Christina Pluhar brought a verve and clarity to to this ambiguous work that reminded us of its closeness to Monteverdi’s early operatic masterpieces
Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Sunday, May 23 Baroque performing consort La Nuova Musica performed Monteverdi’s Vespers, interspersed with madrigals and excerpts from the same composer’s opera ‘L’incoronazione di Poppea’, resulting in a stunning performance that felt positively opulent after a year of concerts through screens. Ten singers were joined onstage by eight musicians, including harpsichordist and conductor David Bates, in rotating arrangements for the different works.
SEE ALSO: Covid-19theatre installation at Brighton Festival - unsettling The programme opened with a beautiful, plaintive harp solo from Joy Smith, ‘Toccata seconda’ by Giovanni Maria Trabaci, the only non-Monteverdi work.