Join us for an extraordinary evening of music in the magnificent setting of the Chapel of St Peter & St Paul. The Monteverdi Choir, accompanied by the English Baroque Soloists will perform two of Bach’s miniature masterpieces, followed by Handel’s Dixit Dominus.

This collaboration between the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloists promises to unleash the full range of their expressive potential, from the echoing intimacy of Purcell’s Funeral sentences to Handel’s virtuosic vocal and instrumental writing.

Programme  

Performed by The Monteverdi Choir, Jonathan Sells (Conductor and Choir Master) with Members of the English Baroque Soloists.

First Half: 7.30-8.30, Interval: 8.30-8.50, Second Half: 8.50-9.30

Purcell – Hear my prayer
Purcell – Funeral sentences
J.S. Bach – Der Geist hilft
J.C. Bach – Ach, dass ich Wassers gnug hätte (Lamento)
J.S. Bach – Singet dem herrn
Interval
Purcell – Jehova
Handel – Dixit Dominus

Soloists

Zoë Brookshaw – Soprano
Chloë Morgan – Soprano
Reginald Mobley – Countertenor
Hugo Hymas – Tenor
Florian Störtz – Bass

About Monteverdi Choir

★★★★★ – “Truly one of the finest choirs of their time.” – Bachtrack

“If the Monteverdi Choir isn’t singing when I get to the gates of Heaven, I want my money back.”  – The Telegraph

The Monteverdi Choir celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2024. Over the course of its life, it has established itself as one of the greatest choirs in the world. Through a combination of consummate technique, historically inspired performance practice and a strong appreciation for visual impact, the Choir constantly strives to bring fresh perspectives, immediacy, and drama to its performances. The Choir and English Baroque Soloists were honoured to perform at the Coronation of their Patron, HM The King, in May 2023.

Founded in 1964, the Monteverdi Choir has released over 150 recordings and won numerous prizes, including the ‘Best Choir’ prize at the Oper! Awards in January 2024.

About Jonathan Sells, Conductor & Chorusmaster

“The Monteverdi Choir, led by Jonathan Sells…proves its extraordinary class.” – Leipziger Volkszeitung  

Jonathan Sells is an internationally renowned artistic director, conductor, and singer. A member of the Monteverdi Choir from 2009-2018, Sells made his conducting debut with the Choir and English Baroque Soloists in June 2024. The performances – Bach motets at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London and Bachfest Leipzig – were met with a rapturous reception from audiences and critics.

Sells has a burning curiosity for neglected geniuses of the 17th and 18th centuries such as Johann Kuhnau, George Jeffreys, and Barbara Strozzi, as well as later repertoire: he has conducted Beethoven, Dvorak, Prokofiev, Nielsen, and Varèse, and has worked with choirs from the UK to the Middle East.

About English Baroque Soloists  

The English Baroque Soloists seek to challenge preconceptions of 200 years of music ranging from Monteverdi to Mozart and Haydn. Equally at home in chamber, symphonic and operatic performances, their distinctively warm and incisive playing is instantly recognisable. One of the world’s leading period instrument orchestras, the ensemble has performed at many of the world’s most prestigious venues including Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam and the Sydney Opera House.   

A new unconducted strand in the orchestra’s programming began in 2024 with a performance of Schubert’s Octet interweaved with Schubert songs performed by Andrew Staples. This collaborative strand continues in 2025 with a dramatised performance of Mozart’s Gran Partita performed with award-winning writer, director and actor, Tama Matheson.