The Vespro della Beata Vergine by Bonifazio Graziani opens an unexpectedly rich world of vocal music.

In the whole 17th century, you’ll hardly find another composer like Graziani who was able to use all the variety from soloistic passages to the full richness of double choir sound in order to illustrate the complexity and beauty of the texts.

During the reign of the Welf Duke John Frederick, there was an intense exchange between Hanover and the important musical centres of the Jesuits in Rome.

One result of this is the Psalmi vespertini binis choris by Graziani. They are dedicated to John Frederick, and a selection of them have been reassembled in the present Vespers. The live recording of the modern age premiere is presented on this disc as a world-premiere recording.