Whitehall Choir – Monteverdi: Vespers – 7:45pm
Conductor: Joanna Tomlinson
London Baroque Sinfonia
Soloists: Zoë Brookshaw, Rebecca Outram, Gareth Treseder, Greg Tassell, Colin Campbell and James Oldfield
Tickets: £22, £16, £10
Monteverdi’s Vespro della Beata Vergine or Vespers for the Blessed Virgin was published in 1610 for feast days of the Virgin Mary. It was written in the composer’s role as Maestro della Musica at the court of the Gonzaga Dukes of Mantua but this large-scale publication may have also been a calling card to try to secure a better position! Monteverdi skilfully demonstrates both the old religious style of writing as well as the more florid operatic style that was just emerging, with a thrilling combination of solo, choral and instrumental forces.
Whitehall Choir, under its dynamic Music Director Joanna Tomlinson, is one of London’s leading amateur choirs. They are joined by the London Baroque Sinfonia, whose members are some of the best players of period instruments in the UK.
Joanna Tomlinson is also Principal Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain Girls’ Choir and Artistic Director of Constanza Chorus. Recent engagements include conducting Bach’s Mass in B minor at Cadogan Hall with Constanza Chorus and the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.
Future Whitehall Choir concerts
Ice and Fire
A programme of choral music from the Baltic region, including works by Arvo Pärt, Veljo Tormis and Galina Grigorjeva.
Thursday 30th June, St Peter’s Eaton Square, SW1W 9AL
Whitehall Choir is a Registered Charity No. 280478
Upcoming Events
Mozart’s Da Ponte Operas: Reinventing the Operatic Voice 11:00 – 13:00
The astounding partnership between Mozart and Da Ponte produced Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni and Cosi Fan Tutte, featuring many of opera's most complex and memorable roles. Experience the music and meet the characters in this enthralling recital series.
21 Oct The Art of Becoming
Mezzo- soprano, Nancy Holt, unpacks how Mozart uses this voice type to capture growing up, falling apart, and coming back together — often all in one aria! Meet Cherubino who can't control his hormones; Dorabella who can't control her heart; and Marcellina who reinvents herself entirely. With live piano accompaniment by Lucy Colquhoun.
Mozart’s Da Ponte Operas: Reinventing the Operatic Voice 11:00 – 13:00
The astounding partnership between Mozart and Da Ponte produced Le Nozze di Figaro, Don Giovanni and Cosi Fan Tutte, featuring many of opera's most complex and memorable roles. Experience the music and meet the characters in this enthralling recital series.
28 Oct Sincerity on Trial
Dropped into comic operas with seria voices, Mozart's tenors don't get the straightforward luxury of being either comic or serious — Don Ottavio and Ferrando can be both noble and laughed at in the same breath. This recital explores the gorgeous, soaring music sung by men the drama refuses to let you trust. What happens when Mozart puts his heartfelt heroes on trial? With tenor, Robert Forrest, and pianist, Lucy Colquhoun.
A Taste of Heaven – 6pm
The Holy Trinity Consort presents a French-Swiss celebration - written in secret and hidden in a drawer for forty years, Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choir is now treasured as one of the twentieth century's great choral discoveries. After the interval, Fauré's sublime Requiem: music of consolation, from the radiant Pie Jesu to the whispered farewell of In Paradisum. We are delighted to welcome Läderach as our partner for the evening, and premium-ticket holders will enjoy an exclusive tasting of their exquisite Swiss chocolate. Candlelight, chocolate and glorious music - an evening to savour at Holy Trinity.