MEMBERS of the classical chart-topping vocal group Voces8 will perform the solo roles in Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, to be performed by Hereford Choral Society with brass ensemble Quintessential and Marches Baroque, conducted by Geraint Bowen, on Saturday, March 21 at 7.30pm.

One of the masterpieces of Italian baroque music, Claudio Monteverdi’s theatrical, highly virtuosic setting of the service of Vespers in honour of the Virgin Mary is rarely performed by amateur choirs; indeed it was rarely performed by professional forces before the second half of the 20th century.

Voces8 are a group of young singers who are celebrating their tenth anniversary as an ensemble this season. They tour extensively around the world and are particularly known for their vocal education and outreach work with the charity Voces Cantabiles. Their first album on the Decca Classics, Eventide, went straight to the top of the classical album charts and A Purcell Collection on the Signum label was BBC Music magazine’s Critics’ Choice for April 2014.

The small ensemble of period instruments will be made up of just three violins, two violas, bass violin, a theorbo (a large stringed instrument belonging to the lute family) and a curtal (an early kind of bassoon) from Marches Baroque, together with three cornetts (a renaissance wind instrument) and three sackbuts (an ancestor of the trombone) from the brass ensemble QuintEssential; and a chamber organ played by Peter Dyke.

Tickets available from The Outback, or reserve calling the ticket secretary on 08454 633124, book online at herefordchoralsociety.org