From the Renaissance to modern times, prominent musicians were active in the lagoon city; for a long time, it was also a major center for music publishing. Even the world’s first opera house was opened here: Venice is thus regarded as a global capital of music, a name resonating with figures such as Gabrieli and Monteverdi, Porpora and Hasse, as well as Rossini and Verdi, Gustav Mahler and Richard Wagner — and even Luigi Nono.

In 1613, Claudio Monteverdi was appointed Maestro di cappella — that is, music director — of St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, taking on one of the most prestigious positions in Italian musical life. A decisive factor in his appointment was likely the Vespers of the Blessed Virgin, published in 1610, in which Monteverdi transferred his speech-inspired musical style — developed and refined through his operas — into the realm of sacred music. Like few other works of the 17th century, this intricate yet monumental sacred composition has become firmly anchored in today’s musical canon.