The last of three volumes of The Sixteen’s series devoted to Monteverdi’s Selva morale e spirituale.

Without doubt, Monteverdi was the greatest of the early baroque European composers. He revolutionised the music of the theatre and the church by his dramatic and imaginative use of voices and instruments and by his daring harmonies and rhythms.

Next to his Vespers of 1610, the Selva morale e spirituale of 1641 is his most significant and virtuosic collection of sacred music. Monteverdi stretches every singer’s versatility to the limit in this demanding but exhilarating music.

Included on this final volume are the eight part Magnificat (Primo) - one of the most impressive of all Monteverdi’s settings with the added richness of doubling strings; the old style Credidi and Memento featuring the full choir; and the exquisitely beautiful soprano solo, Pianto della Madonna ‘Iam moriar, mi fili’, performed here by Grace Davidson.

“These are some of the most spirited and individual performances of this repertory available.” - BBC Music Magazine on Vol.1

“There are subtleties and shades in the overall ensemble’s interactions, but there is no shortage of splendour unleashed in the magnificent passages of the virtuosic eight-part Dixit Dominus.” - Gramophone on Vol.1

“There is a sense of deep familiarity with the music in this recording, a feeling of easiness with Monteverdi’s harmonic and, especially, rhythmic vocabulary that lends a tripping lightness to the performances...” - International Record Review on Vol.2