Nothing less than astonishing: Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 from Graham Ross and the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge

In April this year, Graham Ross directed the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge in a performance of Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610 at Smith Square Hall (formerly St John’s Smith Square). The performance featured the English Cornett & Sackbutt Ensemble, plus Margaret Faultless, violin, Jonathan Manson, bass violin, William Hunt, violone, Elizabeth Kenny, theorbo and Silas Wollston, organ, alongside instrumentalists from Cambridge University. Nicholas Mulroy did the heavy lifting as soloist alongside other soloists from the choir.

The result was filmed, beautifully, by Andrew Staples for Studio 2359, with recorded sound by John Rutter. The film has now been released and is available the Choir of Clare College’s YouTube channel. The results are nothing less than astonishing and extremely engaging. Despite using a college choir, this is a relatively intimate performance and I have great admiration for the way a series of soloists step out from the choir and perform all those solos with terrific aplomb. 

I could listen to Nicholas Mulroy for ever in this style of music and his performance remains a treasure. But credit music go to the women who do all those concertos, going way beyond the technical and giving each appearance real character. Then there are the two baritone soloists in the Magnificat going high into the upper reaches with real aplomb. But I think the palm must go to a series of tenors, especially those who duet with Nicholas Mulroy, so that for instance in Duo Seraphim the second and third tenors match Mulroy ornament for ornament. 

The full performances is available on YouTube. As it is free of charge, please do consider making a donation to the college’s music if you are enjoying the performance.