Monteverdi drew withering criticism from conservative contemporaries for what they saw as the 'imperfections' of his modern music. The composer's expressive voice sets the mood this evening and runs through La Nuova Musica's programme, connecting pieces from 17th-century Italy and France to Barbara's melancholy chansons and sunny delights by Gorni Kramer and Michel Legrand.

Programme:

Claudio Monteverdi Orfeo SV 318: Prologo
Michel Lambert Vos mespris chaque jour me causent mille alarmes
Jean-Baptiste Lully Armide: Passacaille
Joseph Kosma (arr. Harry Baker) Les feuilles mortes
Ornella Vanoni (arr. Harry Baker) La musica è finita
Michel Legrand (arr. Harry Baker) How Do You Keep the Music Playing?
Tarquinio Merula Canzonetta spirituale sopra alla nanna 'Hor ch'è il tempo di dormire'
Luigi Tenco (arr. Harry Baker) Mi sono innamorato di te
Jean-Baptiste Lully Récit de la Beauté
Marc-Antoine Charpentier Sans frayeur dans ce bois H 467
Claudio Monteverdi Sì dolce è'l tormento SV 332
Barbara (arr. Harry Baker) Ma plus belle histoire d'amour
Francesco Cavalli La Calisto: Lucidissima face
Antonio Cesti Orontea: Intorno all'idol mio
Barbara (arr. Harry Baker) Dis, quand reviendras-tu?
Marc-Antoine Charpentier Tristes déserts, sombre retraite H 469
Claudio Monteverdi L'incoronazione di Poppea: Pur ti miro, pur ti godo
Gorni Kramer (arr. Harry Baker) Un bacio a mezzanotte
Michel Legrand (arr. Harry Baker) Chanson des Jumelles

Performers:

Giulia Semenzato soprano
Laurence Kilsby tenor
La Nuova Musica
David Bates director