Monteverdi's Vespers of 1610 invite controversy.  

Obscure origins, uncertain structure and the indeterminate guidelines regarding accompaniment can pose problems but no matter how complex the demands the Somerset Chamber Choir will always excel. Visitors to Wells Cathedral last Saturday evening were in no doubt that something special was about to happen and they were not disappointed.  Conductor Graham Caldbeck once again chose the distinguished period ensemble Canzona led by Theresa Caudle to support the singers and the quality of this accompaniment left nothing to be desired. Add to this a roster of acclaimed soloists including Natalie Clifton-Griffith,Elizabeth Cragg,Stephanie Allman,Mark Wilde,Joseph Cornwall,Thomas Guthrie,Simon Birchall and Nicholas Bowditch and you have a formidable line-up which should have guaranteed success. It did. 

Apart from the annoying habit of the cathedral acoustics confusing complex textures, every detail and decoration emerged of this most difficult and ambitious score. I have to admit that this was the first time that I had heard a live performance of the Vespers but I suspect that a better one would be hard to find. There seems little point in analysing the individual sections of the whole work given such a satisfying whole. The expense of staging it was certainly reflected in the ticket prices but if this is the cost of such delights so be it. Controversy or no, I'm very glad I was there. 

Philip Knighton, Somerset County Gazette

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