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The Choir of St James\u2019 King Street with the choristers and scholars of St Mary\u2019s Cathedral and period instrumentalists Australian Baroque Brass performs Claudio Monteverdi\u2019s masterpiece,\u00a0 Vespro della Beata Vergine (Vespers <\/em>for the Virgin Mary, 1610). <\/em><\/p>\n This concert is the first performance of Monteverdi’s Vespers <\/em>at St Mary’s Cathedral and continues the 2013 Metamorphosis concert series for the Choir of St James’. Nearly 100 performers will gather in a magnificent spectacle in a similar vein to last year\u2019s Splendour of Venice<\/em> concert.\u00a0Both singers and instrumentalists\u00a0will be positioned around the cathedral to enhance the acoustic of\u00a0its spaces\u00a0and to realise the effects of Monteverdi’s brilliant antiphonal writing.<\/p>\n The appeal of the Vespers<\/em> has endured through centuries. Monteverdi, who later took holy orders, expresses his reverence for God within the pizzazz of a secular drama. Also known as the father of opera, Monteverdi\u2019s gift lies in his ability to construct a work of multiple movements\u00a0into a whole, combining antique and modern musical forms with a nuanced musical line that mirrors of the rhythm of words themselves.\u00a0He draws out the emotion from the text, connecting with the unchurched as much as the churched.<\/p>\n Born in Cremona, home of the illustrious Stradivari and Amati violin maker dynasties, Monteverdi\u2019s writing also demonstrates his innovative and sensitive scoring for instruments and, possibly, the influence of these craftsmen.<\/p>\n Based at Sydney\u2019s oldest church The Choir of St James\u2019, comprises around a dozen professional adult singers. It is one of Australia\u2019s foremost choirs. The Choir has hosted masterclasses with The King’s Singers, amongst others, and recently toured to Perth and Singapore. Future plans include commissions of new works. Head of Music Warren Trevelyan-Jones has sung with many of Europe\u2019s finest vocal groups, including The Tallis Scholars, and is also a singing teacher and music therapist. Ensemble Plus Ultra, which he co-founded with Michael Noone, was awarded a Gramophone<\/em> Award for Early Music in 2012.<\/p>\n The Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral is known as one of Australia\u2019s best choirs and is Australia’s oldest permanent musical organisation. Today it comprises approximately forty choristers and is regularly in demand for broadcasts, concerts and tours. Upcoming projects include two CD releases in 2013. Director of Music Thomas Wilson is a highly experienced conductor and esteemed organist whose previous positions include stints at both Wellington cathedrals. He has also served as Assistant Organist, and latterly Precentor, at Westminster Abbey. He has recently been elected Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.<\/p>\n Founded in 2003 by John Foster, Australian Baroque Brass (ABB) is renowned as one of Australia’s finest early music ensembles. ABB also performs a diverse repertoire at events which include the Adelaide Festival, Australia, and the Petworth Festival, England. As well as touring internationally these St James\u2019 \u2018Artists in Residence\u2019 have made acclaimed recordings and have a \u2018thrilling playing style\u2019 (ABC Limelight Magazine). ABB will be playing period cornetts, sackbuts and theorbos, and will be joined by\u00a0special guest instrumentalists.<\/p>\n