Music history is full of blind spots. Natale Monferrato is one of them. This contemporary of Claudio Monteverdi and successor to Francesco Cavalli at St Mark’s Basilica was certainly no obscure figure: Monferrato occupied a key position at the heart of the Venetian music scene. Still, his music is seldom heard in 2026. His motets for alto reveal what we have been missing: concentrated Baroque in which devotion and drama constantly spur each other on. Countertenor Paulin Bündgen and Ensemble Céladon present this music without frills, but with a generous combination of several basso continuo instruments. Other than that, we’ll refrain from archaeological metaphors or slick promotion. This is beautiful music – no more and no less!
Program
N. Monferrato: Ad sonos, Jubilate Deo, Salve regina, Vigila mortalis, Propera Domine, Convenite terrigenae | G. Frescobaldi: Ancidetemi pur, Toccata seconda | A. Piccinini: Partite sopra la folia aria Romanesca
Performers
Catherine Arnoux, viol | Luc Gaugler, violone | Marie-Domitile Murez, triple harp | Florent Marie, theorbo | Caroline Huynh Van Xuan, organ | Paulin Bündgen, countertenor & artistic leader