Vespro della beata Vergine • Collegium 1704

When Venice was at the height of its glory, a work was heard in La Serenissima’s main church – St Mark’s Basilica – that represents a synthesis of the best and most sophisticated music yet written. At the same time, Monteverdi’s Marian Vespers heralded the direction that European musical thinking would take in future centuries. To this day, the composition is admired and respected.