In October 2020, after seven long months, we were delighted to finally return to the European performing stage for our first public concerts since COVID-19 brought the musical world to a standstill.

Reviving the success of our Monteverdi | Carissimi | Scarlatti tour of Russia and South America, John Eliot Gardiner led the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists for this momentous occasion in Monreale, Sicily. This performance was the opening concert in the acclaimed Settimana di Musica Sacra di Monreale festival, which marked its 62nd edition in 2020. The ‘Week of Sacred Music’ in Monreale is one of Europe’s oldest festivals, held in the stunning surroundings of the Duomo di Monreale, a 900-year-old UNESCO world heritage site.

Due to an unforeseen cancellation in the festival’s programme, we were then invited to perform a second concert in Monreale on Tuesday 6 October. This performance saw the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists showcase another programme of choral Baroque works, with music by Monteverdi, Purcell, Cavalli and Blow.

Programme 1 (Sunday 4 October)

Monteverdi Messa a 4 voci da cappella
Carissimi Jephte
Purcell Hear my prayer, O Lord
Purcell Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes
D. Scarlatti Stabat mater

Programme 2 (Tuesday 6 October)

Monteverdi Adoramus te, Christe, SV 289
Monteverdi Christe adoramus te, SV 294
Purcell Funeral Sentences, Z. 860:
Man that is born of a woman, Z. 27
In the midst of life, Z. 17a
Thou Knowest, Lord, Z. 58c
Monteverdi Domine ne in furore, SV 298
Monteverdi Nisi Dominus a 6, SV 201
Purcell Remember not, Lord, our offences, Z.50
Blow Salvator mundi
Cavalli Salve Regina a 4
Monteverdi Coro in cielo, Act 3 scene XII, Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria, SV 325