St. Bart's Hosts A Service Featuring Monteverdi's Messa da Cappella

St. Bartholomew's Choir will sing Monteverdi's Messa da Cappella on Sunday, September 3 at 11 am. Jason Roberts will be the organist, and William K. Trafka will conduct.

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) is regarded as a maverick and revolutionary, since his music marked the transition from the Renaissance style of music to that of the Baroque period. He developed two distinct styles of composition -- the great heritage of Renaissance polyphony and the new basso continuo technique of the Baroque. His Messa da cappella (1651) for four voices is written in a polyphonic, imitative style but requiring greater vocal virtuosity than that of his predecessors. Additionally, Monteverdi has composed a harmonized bass line, basso continuo, which underscores the harmonic emphasis of the polyphony. _____________

The Summer Festival of Sacred Music takes place each Sunday morning at 11 am at St. Bartholomew's Church during the summer months. At a time when most churches reduce their musical offerings, St. Bartholomew's Church provides outstanding sacred music sung by St. Bartholomew's Choir and Boy and Girl Choristers, two of New York City's most renowned choirs. Works include an array of mass settings from the 15th century to the present embracing a diversity of cultures from around the world. The music is sung as part of the Eucharist or Mass, the liturgical context for which it was composed. All Summer Festival events are free and open to the public.