“Nisi Dominus", Claudio Monteverdi | The Green Mountain Project 2012

"Nisi Dominus” (1650), Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Jolle Greenleaf and Molly Quinn, soprano
Marc Molomot, Jason McStoots, Sumner Thompson and Scott Mello, tenor
Jesse Blumberg and David McFerrin, bass
Hank Heijink and Daniel Swenberg, theorbo
Avi Stein, organ
Selection from "A Grand Festive Vespers in Venice, c. 1640, for the Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary”
January 3, 2012
The Church of St. Jean Baptiste, New York City
The Green Mountain Project (honoring the literal translation of Monteverdi's name) is an annual event that began in NYC in 2010 under the musical direction of Scott Metcalfe and artistic direction of Jolle Greenleaf. Learn more: tenet.nyc/green...
John Stone (video) and Mark Aubort (audio)
English translation:
Except the Lord build the house,
they labor in vain that build it.
Except the Lord keep the city,
the watchman wakes but in vain.
It is vain for you to rise before dawn:
rise after you have sat down,
you who eat the bread of sorrow:
for he has given his beloved sleep.
Behold, children are an inheritance of the Lord:
and the fruit of the womb, a reward.
As arrows in the hand of the mighty,
so are children of the vigorous.
Blessed is the man who has fulfilled his longing by them:
he shall not be confounded
when he speaks to his enemies at the gate.
Glory be to the Father...

[@andrewc2498]

Absolutely beautiful, surely singing cannot get better than this. Just magical. And what an amazing genius was Montiverdi, thank you so much everyone.

[@jollegreenleaf514]

Thank you so much! We truly loved singing and playing this program and it brings me great joy to know that others enjoy it too!

[@Claudiuspapyrus]

Yes ! Absolutely !!!!... Thank you so much !

[@marcvcivsnoveboracensis]

This is flawless.

[@roberthovencamp]

Outstanding performance!

[@jeronimobarzabe354]

Génial !! très beau, merci pour cette vidéo.

[@TENETVocalArtists]

Thank you! :)

[@p067f]

Considering that Monteverdi died in 1643 I ask myself how is it possible that this piece allegedly dates from 1650 ?;-)

[@6463538]

I think the collection in which it first appeared in print (Mass, Psalms and Litany) was published in that year (posthumously, obviously). Not sure when it was actually written...