Monteverdi and the 'Vespro della Beata Vergine' in the light of its time

Workshop led by the Italian Monteverdi specialist and choral conductor Antonio Magarelli in collaboration with two members of Accademia Amsterdam, for vocal ensemble Coqu (private event)

As a "kick-off" for Coqu's project, in which they will perform Monteverdi's Mariavespers on April 21 and 22, 2023 with Accademia Amsterdam conducted by Paul Valk, Antonio Magarelli is coming to Utrecht to introduce the singers to this beautiful music.

This versatile musician leads his own specialist choir in southern Italy and has been working with Accademia Amsterdam for many years in giving vocal courses to music students and amateur singers. He also led several Accademia Amsterdam projects in Italy and the Netherlands.
This workshop is mainly about getting acquainted with the style of Monteverdi and with a suitable performance method for (amateur) choristers. Using short fragments from Monteverdi's Maria Vespers and simple polyphonic choral music, Antonio Magarelli lets you experience the special features hidden in the music of Monteverdi and his contemporaries. As an Italian, Magarelli guides participants in the correct (Italian) pronunciation of Latin and Italian.
In addition to a guide to the interpretation, attention will also be paid to the use of voice and singing technique. Antonio Magarelli makes participants acquaintance to his special voice exercises.
The language of instruction for this workshop is English. It is not necessary that the singers already master the Marian Vespers; only an easy-to-sing part is treated as an example. In addition, Antonio Magarelli has selected a number of other pieces by Monteverdi that are used as example to the historical interpretation of Monteverdi's vocal music.

At the beginning of the workshop, the musicians of Accademia Amsterdam explain the instruments and show examples.

See our calendar for details of the public concerts on April 21 and 22, 2023.

More information on the website of Vocaal ensemble Coqu.