From the eleventh century, Venetian mariners gathered together once each year to offer prayers to San Nicolò, the patron saint of sailors, asking for his continued protection. Initially the service was a simple benediction in which the Adriatic Sea was blessed with holy water. By the late-sixteenth century, the ceremony had evolved into one of the most lavish and important dates in the Venetian calendar. Ascension Day now launched a large spring festival which was headed by the symbolic wedding of Venice to the Adriatic - the Sposalizio.

Robert King and his serried ranks of instrumentalists and singers recreate this glorious event in the grandest style. Giovanni Gabrieli’s twenty-two-part Sonata (his largest-scale instrumental work), Andrea Gabrieli’s ‘Battle’ Canzona, the church bells of Venice, fanfares for trumpets and drums, the massive sixteen-part madrigal Udite, chiari - the catalogue of riches goes on...

Contents:
CD 1
The Processions and Journey across the Lagoon
1. Single tolling bell of San Marco
2. Drums
3. TRUMPET FANFARE Rotta
4. ANDREA GABRIELI Vieni, vieni Himeneo
5. GIOSEFFO GUAMI Canzona XXIV a 8
6. GIOVANNI GIROLAMO KAPSBERGER Kapsberger
7. ANDREA GABRIELI Cantiam di Dio
8. Drums 
9. ANDREA GABRIELI La Battaglia
10. GIOVANNI GABRIELI Lieto godea sedendo
11. ALESSANDRO PICCININI Variazioni sopra La Folia
12. CESARIO GUSSAGO La Leona
13. ANONYMOUS Variazione sopra La Ciaccona
14. GIOVANNI GABRIELI Udite, chiari e generosi figli
15. LODOVICO VIADANA La Veneziana
16. TRUMPET FANFARE & DRUMS Imperiale prima

CD 2
The solemn Mass held in San Nicolò
1. Tolling church bell
2. TRUMPET FANFARE Imperiale seconda
3. GIOVANNI GABRIELI Kyrie a 12
4. ANDREA GABRIELI Gloria a 16
5. ANDREA GABRIELI Intonatione Settimo tono
6. TIBURTIO MASSAINO Canzon per otto tromboni
7. CHANT Sursum corda
8. GIOVANNI GABRIELI Sanctus a 12
9. ANDREA GABRIELI Intonatione Primo tono
10. CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI Christe, adoramus te
11. GIOVANNI GABRIELI Sonata XX a 22
12. The bells of Venice

‘An exceptional recorded event. Ravishing music. A very fine achievement all round’ - Gramophone

‘Glorious music, gloriously performed’ - Classic CD

‘The music is glorious, the performances exemplary, the sense of occasion overwhelming … another marvellous concept from Robert King and his redoubtable consort, here breathtakingly recreating the celebrations which would have taken place on Ascension Day circa 1600. Glitteringly recorded and a superb booklet’ - The Sunday Times

[from CDA67048]