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Bristol students to get a unique view on Monteverdi

Sir John Eliot Gardiner conducts the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra's rehearsal in Venice

Press release issued: 21 March 2017

Bristol Plays Music and the University of Bristol are joining forces to present a unique symposium on Renaissance music and the life and work of the composer Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643).

The event will take place tomorrow (Wednesday, March 22) in partnership with the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra at the Victoria Rooms in Bristol – home to the University’s Department of Music.

Prominent musicologists from around the UK and Europe will be speaking to students at the symposium and will also be joined by the University’s Baroque Orchestra and Madrigal Ensemble who will play throughout the afternoon.

This unique event is aimed at high achieving year 10/11 musicians (grades A*-C), A Level musicians and first year undergraduates, and will give students a taste of how music is studied and played at a major UK university.

This special event coincides with a series of special events at Bristol’s Colston Hall during April and May to celebrate the 450th anniversary of the composer’s birth.

The celebration will see Sir John Eliot Gardiner, his English Baroque Soloists and the Monteverdi Choir landmark perform a semi-staged series of Monteverdi’s three surviving operas Il Ritorno d’Ulisse in Patria, I’Incoronazione di Poppea and L’Orfeo.

Dr Michael Ellison from the University’s Department of Music, said: "The operas of Monteverdi are some of the first ever composed and are still some of the very finest. 

"The three operas being performed at Colston Hall for Monteverdi 450 this spring is an event not to be missed. 

"We look forward to offering A-level students this study day where scholars help give a sense of what goes into creating these productions--the notes, scores and history behind them together with performances from our University Singers and Madrigal ensemble."

Further information

Bristol Plays Music (BPM) is Bristol’s hub for music education, based at Colston Hall. It is the only music education hub based in a professional performance venue.

Bristol Plays Music is run by Bristol Music Trust who also manages Colston Hall.

Colston Hall is run by Bristol Music Trust, an independent organisation created in 2011 to develop the Hall’s artistic programme , promote music and music making in Bristol and help secure a sustainable future for Colston Hall.

 

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