The Vespers of the blessed Virgin -Vespro della Beata Vergine-(1610) by Italian renaissance/early baroque composer Claudio Monteverdi, is a particularly enchanting and marvellous version of the traditional vesper, which concludes with the Canticle of Mary. This magnificent work is now performed for the first time in the Harpa main Concert Hall Eldborg in a festive concert on the first Sunday in Advent with outstanding Icelandic and international performers.

Performers: The celebrated chamber choir Schola Cantorum with 7 soloists, among them are two of the leading baroque tenors in Scandinavia today, Benedikt Kristjánsson and Martin Vanberg as well as the celebrated icelandic soprano Herdis Anna Jónasdóttir, the early music ensemble Scandinavian Cornetts and Sackbuts led by Danish cornett-player Lene Langballe, members from the Reykjavik International Baroque Orchestra, led by violinist Joanna Huczcza, and gregorian ensemble Cantores Islandiae.

Conductor: Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason.

Performers:

Herdís Anna Jónasdóttir soprano

Thelma Hrönn Sigurdórsdóttir soprano

Martin Vanberg tenor

Benedikt Kristjánsson tenor

Þorkell H. Sigfússon tenor

Philip Barkhudarov bass

Örn Ýmir Arason bass

Schola Cantorum chamber choir

Cantores Islandiae – leader Ágúst Ingi Ágústsson

Scandinavian Cornetts and Sackbuts – leader Lene Langballe

Members of the Reykjavík International Baroque Orchestra

Concertmaster: Joanna Huszcza

Conductor: Bjarni Frímann Bjarnason