It is a testament to how revered Claudio Monteverdi was during his lifetime that, seven years after his death in 1643 at the age of 76, his colleagues were moved to assemble and publish his late compositions. The results were the Messa et salmi of 1650 and the Madrigalie e canzonnette of 1651, crowning achievements of this master composer who had, nearly singlehandedly, ushered in the Baroque period in musical history. The musical ideas presented in these volumes reflect this master composer in his prime: endlessly creative, varied, and passionate. Within these pages lie the building blocks for a majestic ‘lost’ Vespers that rivals the composer’s famous Vespers of 1610.

Join the peerless singers and players of The Thirteen for the triumphant conclusion of our exploration of Monteverdi’s sacred music in concerts replete with artistry, elegance, and passion.