Dartington Community Choir

The Vespers of 1610 written by Claudio Monteverdi is perhaps the first extended choral work in the repertoire. Yet its performance by an amateur choral society is rare due to the complexity of its writing, specialist instrumental ensemble requirements and important decisions to be taken on pitch setting. For the Dartington Community Choir, however, this is its second performance, the first being under its previous conductor John Railton, who was never afraid to tackle this repertoire. On this occasion the choir will be joined by the English Cornett and Sackbut Ensemble, plus members of Devon Baroque to bring the sounds of early seventeenth century Venice to the Great Hall. As part of the learning process the choir will use the Vespers for its autumn workshop on October 4th giving members of choirs in the area and from further afield an opportunity to experience this glorious music.