Contrapunctus: Harmonies of Devotion

ALBUM LAUNCH CONCERT
Harmonies of Devotion is both an exploration of the Italian motet repertory of the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries and a celebration of the devotion to this sacred repertory displayed by English antiquarian collectors of the eighteenth century. Among the works performed are Giovanni Legrenzi’s six-voice masterpiece Intret in conspectu tuo, which survives thanks to a copy made in London by Handel, a five-voice Crucifixus by Legrenzi’s pupil Antonio Lotti, sent to London’s newly formed Academy of Ancient Music, a grand Marian motet written for the Academy by Agostino Steffani, and music by Steffani’s teacher Ercole Bernabei, again collected by members of London’s antiquarian music clubs. The programme reveals lines of influence between teachers and pupils, and traces the lineage of the dramatic seconda prattica motet back to its principal source and pioneer: Monteverdi.

PROGRAMME
Cantate Domino Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Salve regina Giovanni Legrenzi (1626-1690)
Intret in conspectu tuo Giovanni Legrenzi
Adoramus te Christe Claudio Monteverdi
Crucifixus (5 voices) Antonio Lotti (1666-1740)
Victimæ paschali laudes Giovanni Paolo Colonna (1637-1695)
Qui diligit Mariam Agostino Steffani (1654-1728)
Domine, ne in furore tuo Claudio Monteverdi
Quam amarum est Maria Giovanni Legrenzi
Crucifixus (8 voices) Antonio Lotti
Christe adoramus te Claudio Monteverdi
Converte nos Deus Giovanni Legrenzi
Tribulationes cordis mei Ercole Bernabei (1622-1687)
Ave regina cælorum Giovanni Legrenzi

'Seriously, startlingly good' – Gramophone

'Superb singing' – The Observer

'The singers shape each piece lovingly. Impeccable.' – The Sunday Times