In March 1964, as a student at King’s College, Cambridge, John Eliot Gardiner led a performance of Monteverdi’s Vespers that not only launched his career as a conductor, but also provided the impetus to create his world-renowned Monteverdi Choir.  In 1989, to mark the Monteverdi Choir’s 25th anniversary, he made the legendary live recording in St. Mark’s, Venice (where Monteverdi had held the position of maestro di cappella), which is re-presented in this deluxe hardback edition. This performance was also filmed by the BBC, and is included alongside the CDs.

- 2 CDs + 1 DVD
- Special deluxe edition celebrating Monteverdi’s 450th anniversary
- 100-page hardback book with complete sung texts
- Includes exclusive new interview with John Eliot Gardiner, which explores his affinity to the Monteverdi Vespers

“One of the most thrillingly atmospheric recordings of Baroque choral music ever made.” - BBC Music Magazine, 2012 (50 Greatest Recordings of All Time)

“An atmospheric and distinctive performance beautifully accommodated to its deluxe setting ... a gloriously public Vespers, and thoroughly Venetian for that.” - Gramophone Magazine, 2005

“For incisive choral singing and sheer theatrical excitement, this has few rivals. The choir pounces on every dramatic and textual detail, and the soloists project with bags of weight and vibrato. Big and thrilling.” - BBC Music Magazine, 2007

“The visual content of this DVD package enhances the power of what already ranks among the finest recordings of the 1610 Vespers.” - Classic FM, on the DVD re-release, 2003

“A resplendent spatial feast of the kind Gardiner clearly sought to realise.” - Gramophone Magazine, on the DVD re-release, 2003