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Monteverdi's Selva morale e spirituale

Les Arts Florissants

Image of conductor William Christie by a harpsichord

The crowning achievement of Monteverdi’s sacred music, brought to ravishing life by William Christie and Les Arts Florissants.

Monteverdi called it his ‘Moral and Spiritual Forest’; the comprehensive anthology of sacred vocal music that he published at the end of his career, in 1641. Les Arts Florissants’ trademark blend of warmth and emotional directness will make it speak straight to the heart.

This ensemble excels in Monteverdi – their Gramophone Award-winning collection of his madrigals was acclaimed as ‘consort-singing without a safety net, risk-taking that pays dividends’. That’s vital in music of such subtle, yet intense emotion, and it’ll be fascinating, too, to hear how Christie makes his selection from Monteverdi’s gloriously abundant forest of music.

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Cocktails, concrete and tonnes of charm

Pop into the Martini Bar for a pre-performance tipple, with Happy Hour from 5-6pm

Barbican Hall