Welcome Spring with vibrant Monteverdi

As we start thinking about gardens, cottages and the welcome renewal that summer brings to our souls, the impulse to sit in a dark concert hall listening to music is probably furthest from our minds.

And yet, the spring musical offerings are as vibrant and promising as ever. Music can bring a refreshing serenity to any season, so there is no cause to abandon it just because the weeds are calling.

Coming up on May 24 and 25 is an early music concert by Camerata Nova called Mostly Monteverdi. The ensemble is returning to its Renaissance roots for this performance.

As the title suggests, the greater part of the show will be devoted to works of Claudio Monteverdi, with a few of his Italian compatriots rounding out the repertoire.

Monteverdi is a rarity among composers, in that he straddled two musical eras, the Renaissance and Baroque. His genius brought the madrigal to new heights and he transformed opera, setting the stage, so to speak, for the modern opera.

Monteverdi was also an inspired church musician, as will be demonstrated by the ensemble in several pieces from his masterpiece, the Vespers of 1610. The youthful group of 13 superb singers led by artistic director Andrew Balfour specializes in just this kind of music, striving for and achieving hard-earned period authenticity.

"We have augmented the group to 17 singers for these concerts, as several pieces are split in eight or 10 parts," said Karine Beaudette, a soprano who doubles as marketing chairwoman. "We will showcase the antiphonal sound by splitting up the choirs. It’s like stereo music before the invention of stereo."

The concert will also feature a string trio made up of members of the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra, and led by violinist Claudine St-Arnauld. In keeping with the custom of the times, they will use short Baroque bows and gut strings.

"If audience members close their eyes for a moment, they could very well imagine themselves in another time," said Beaudette. And, when they open their eyes, they will find themselves in the charming interior of St. Margaret’s Anglican Church, circa 1912, with its historical ambience.

The trio will perform music by early Baroque composer Frescobaldi. Saskatchewan harpsichordist Renée de Moissac will also perform on her own instrument, which she is transporting here especially for these concerts.