La Cetra Barockorchester & Vokalensemble Basel

Scusa!! Sorry, Claudio Monteverdi wrote to a friend on December 29, 1616, apologizing for his long silence. 'There was so much work to be done for Christmas,' he explained. As maestro di cappella of the famous San Marco in Venice, he was always incredibly busy during December composing for the evening service. It was so busy that music by other composers was also performed. La Cetra recreates such a Christmas Eve in Venice, featuring music by Monteverdi and his colleagues. For these Venetian Vespers, Andrea Marcon carefully selected the finest sections from Monteverdi's Selva Morale e Spirituale, supplemented with works by composers like Gabrieli and Grandi. 'Completely irresistible and uplifting,' as described by The Times.

Andrea Marcon is one of the most acclaimed conductors of baroque repertoire. The founder of the Venice Baroque Orchestra, leads another ensemble this time: La Cetra - of which he has been the artistic director since 2009. It plays according to authentic performance practice. Vocalensemble Basel joins in; the two ensembles often collaborate. Among the soloists is the downright sensational Carlos Mena, one of the most virtuosic countertenors of the moment. Well-known pieces by Monteverdi from his Selva morale e spirituale take the main place in this program. The other composers and works turn out to be a pleasant surprise, such as the joyful and clearly Christmassy Hodie Christus natus est by Giovanni Valentini.