Experience Choir of the Earth's special edition of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, created in collaboration with Fiori Musicali under the direction of Penelope Rapson.
This unique production combines Fiori Musical's 2011 live recording from Christ Church Oxford, featuring period instruments, with thousands of individually recorded tracks from a global online choir, creating an epically powerful choral experience.
Monteverdi, a key figure in the transition from Renaissance to Baroque music, composed the Vespers of 1610 as a masterful blend of sacred and secular styles. This monumental work is renowned for its complexity, beauty, and the innovative way it incorporates both choral and instrumental elements.
Choir of the Earth’s Musical Director, Ben England, led detailed online rehearsals, teaching this intricate masterpiece to singers worldwide, assisted by amazing vocal rehearsal tracks for each voice part, provided by Fieri Consort. With over 8,000 vocal tracks recorded by singers from around 40 countries, this project is the first of its kind to teach and perform Monteverdi’s masterpiece entirely online. Both the 2011 recording and Choir of the Earth's vocal submissions were then meticulously mixed by our team of leading audio engineers.
This special edition concert includes a unique a cappella version of Nisi Dominus performed exclusively by the international voices of Choir of the Earth. This never-heard-before rendition fo this complex choral piece is a true testament to the talents of this extraordinary collaboration of singers from around the world, as well as the unique malleability of the artform of digital choral singing.
1610 VESPERS - CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI
Deus In Adjutorium Meum Intende (O God, come to my aid) - Tenor solo and choir
Dixit Dominus (The Lord said unto my Lord) - Choir
Nigra Sum (I am black) - Tenor solo
Laudate Pueri (Praise, ye servants of the Lord) - Choir
Pulchra Es (You are beautiful) - Soprano duet
Laetatus Sum (I was glad) - Choir
Duo Seraphim (Two seraphim) - Tenor trio
Nisi Dominus (Except the Lord) - Tenor duet and double choir
Audi Coelum (Hear my words, Heaven) - Tenor duet
Lauda Jerusalem (Praise, Jerusalem) - Tenor solo and choir
Sancta Maria (Holy Mary) - Soprano solo
Ave Maris Stella (Hail Star of the Sea) - Choir
Magnificat (My soul magnifies the Lord) - Choir
Bonus performance: Nisi Dominus performed a cappella by Choir of the Earth