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, and English Baroque Soloists, conducted by Jonathan Sells (Choir Director).

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

Purcell – Hear my prayer, O Lord
Purcell – Funeral sentences
J.S. Bach – Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf
J.C. Bach – Ach, dass ich Wassers gnug hätte (Lamento)
J.S. Bach – Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied
Interval
Purcell – Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes mei
Handel – Dixit Dominus

Soloists

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

About the Monteverdi Choir

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

“The Monteverdi Choir has dominated the choral scene worldwide for more than 50 years.”  – The Guardian

The Monteverdi Choir has been recognised as one of the greatest and most influential choirs in the world. Through a combination of consummate technique and historically-informed performance practice, the Choir constantly strives to bring fresh perspectives, immediacy and drama to its performances.

The recipient of many awards, the Monteverdi Choir was named ‘Best Choir’ at the 2024 Oper! Awards, with the jury noting that: “At festivals, on concert tours and in their numerous recordings, this is an ensemble whose quality will always leave the listener speechless.”

About Jonathan Sells, Choir Director

“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 the English Baroque Soloists  

“Intricate and detailed throughout…it was brilliant.” – Die Presse

For over 40 years, the English Baroque Soloists has been one of the most innovative period-instrument ensembles and has consistently challenged the preconceptions of audiences around the world. Equally at home in chamber, symphonic and operatic performances, its distinctively warm and incisive playing is instantly recognisable in music ranging from Monteverdi to Mozart.

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.