Venice in the 1640’s – without a doubt the time to be alive. Why? With luck and a bit of wealth, you might get to hear Monteverdi’s late masterpieces as they were launched. As a close second, you can hear these pieces very soon, performed by the vocal soloists of St Bede’s, Menlo Park, with the instrumentalists of The Albany Consort and The Whole Noyse. Four major works by Monteverdi flank the program – two from Selva Morale e spirituale, two from Madrigals of War and Love. Between the vocal works, the musicians present sonorous 4 part and 8 part sonatas and canzonas by Monteverdi’s contemporaries Frescobaldi, Gabrieli, and Rossi. All told, a fabulous view into a four-century-old soundscape that is as vibrant now as it was in the day.
Jonathan Salzedo harpsichord Marion Rubinstein organ/recorder Katina Mitchell, Naomi Braun sopranos Katherine McKee alto Dan Stanley, Colby Roberts tenors Chris Filipowicz bass Laura Rubinstein-Salzedo, Rachel Hurwitz violins Roy Whelden viola da gamba Stephen Escher cornetto Richard van Hessel, Michael Cushing sackbuts Herb Myers dulcian/viola