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Ensemble MDCX A group of singers and instrumentalists who have come together to  perform Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers in its 400th anniversary year of 2010 directed by John Kilpatrick

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Performance details

We are using a new edition of the work (complete except for the alternative 6-part Magnificat) by John Kilpatrick. This is derived from facsimiles of the original 1610 part-books, with reference to various scholarly editions (but without any intent to copy or match them). The edition has been placed in the public domain and can be accessed through the Choral Public Domain Library www.cpdl.org as well as directly through the above link.

Around 40 singers drawn from two local choirs are taking part, supplemented by some experienced tenors. Passages are suitably allocated to chorus, semi-chorus, or solo singers, contributing to an exciting performance. The six string and six wind instrumentalists play all the notes that Monteverdi specifically wrote for violin and viola da brazzo, cornetti and tromboni, and double the vocal parts judiciously in the psalm settings and elsewhere. The principle followed is that Monteverdi would have used the forces available, this being one of the two defensible, though opposed, positions that can be taken in modern performance.

The Lauda and Magnificat (pieces where the chiavette clef system is used) are at the lower pitch, a 4th down from that often heard in choral performances. This brings the instruments into the same playing ranges as elsewhere in the work, such that the upper wind can cope without uncharacteristic strain, and the strings can play in first position, which is what the violins, at least, would have had to do in Monteverdi's day. The strings also play using a pure tone without vibrato: a dream sound, for those not accustomed to it. 

The upper wind comprises 2 x D-trumpet (with 7C mouthpieces, which proved a suitable specification) and a Bb cornet or trumpet (or possibly a clarinet - details less important). The lower wind are "pea-shooter" trombones - around 80-110 years old, and nearer in specification to the old sackbutts than modern instruments, except in bell shape. Continuo is provided by organ (using the church's organ in a chamber-organ style) and a harpsichord (a real instrument, though not an "Italian" model).

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Cast of Characters

Sheffield Lydian Singers, directed by John Kilpatrick, is a small informal choir of around 12-15 strong, with singers who are or who have been in choral societies such as the Sheffield Bach Choir, Sheffield Oratorio Chorus, Sheffield Chorale, and Sterndale Singers. They enjoy exploring the unaccompanied repertoire, but sometimes (as now) branch out into more adventurous works.

Tideswell Singers under the skilled directorship of Carol Bowns engage in a wide variety of performance style, but the Vespers is quite an adventure for them also. Carol is also one of our soprano soloists.

George's wife Jane Ginsborg sings in the SLS and is the other of our soprano soloists. Keith Hewitt, one of the tenor soloists (and the first singer to be heard in the performance), was a Westminster Abbey Chorister, and has sung ever since in large and small choirs - now often standing in for the regular lay clerks at Southwell Minster. The other principal tenor soloists are Robin Hughes and Tim Down: all three tenors can be heard together to excellent effect in the number "Duo Seraphim".

The string players, led by Lucy Phillips, are all accomplished players of classical bent, largely drawn from the Sheffield Chamber Orchestra. In addition to Lucy we have Fleur Bayley (violin), Peter Dyke & Pam Price (viola), Chris Cowan & Mavis Barnes (cello).  Our brass players, led by Jack Ashmore, are drawn from the backgrounds of brass bands, concert bands and jazz. He is joined on D-trumpet by Jon Howson (the third player for Ecclesall is uncertain at the moment - for Buxton it was Nick Rosewell); with Brian Witten, Barry Dobson & Jim Langley on trombone. In the Sheffield Concert Band photograph Jack is to the right of and behind the conductor, while behind him is Jim, who has provided the "pea-shooter" trombones for this performance. Jon and Barry are also in the picture - as, for that matter, is John Kilpatrick.

Acknowledgement

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