An exploration of the Renaissance motet, as seen through the works of Monteverdi’s musical antecedents, counterparts, and influences—featuring works by Palestrina, Gombert, Byrd, and Gibbons. This program will traverse the gamut from the rhythmically taught and textually explosive Gloria from Palestrina's Missa Papae Marcelli to William Byrd's searing recusant motet Ne Irascaris–Civitas Sancti Tui. Choral fireworks abound in Orlando Gibbons' O clap your hands following the bittersweet foretaste of death in Gombert's Media Vita. Nicolas Haigh, Associate Organist at Saint Thomas Church in New York City and a Bach Akademie Charlotte Artisti Leader, leads the ensemble.

—bacharlotte.com