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Available for 14 days

By the beginning of the 16th century, Venice was in commercial decline, and the financial clout of the first and longest-lived of the European Empires was fading. However, just as the Republic’s political power was starting to ebb, artistic and cultural life began to flourish as never before. Venice became the centre of the cultural world. Over the course of this week, Donald Macleod explores this extraordinary period when music flourished throughout Venice’s streets and in the churches, palaces and public buildings which had sprung up all across the city, and the composers whose work came to define the age – the Venetian School. In Monday’s programme, Donald explores the factors which led to the cultural explosion in Venice, finding a city teeming with music – from the publishing houses to the songs of the gondoliers and the music which accompanied ceremonial occasions, to the centre of sacred music making in the city – the golden splendour of the basilica of St Mark’s and its new director of music – Adrien Willaert. Giovanni Gabrieli O Magnum Mysterium London Oratory Schola Cantorum Charles Cole, director Claudio Merulo Benedicam Dominum (extracts) Chamber Choir of Europe Nicol Matt, director Francesco Canova da Milano Fantasia no 19 “Bellissima” Nigel North, lute Adrien Willaert Vecchie Letrose Dominique Visse, alto Capella de la torre Katharina Bäuml, director Adrien Willaert Infelix ego Gesualdo Six Owain Park, director Claudio Merluo Toccata 8 Silas Wollston, organ Adrien Willaert Veni Sanctus Spiritus South West German Radio Vocal Ensemble Marcus Creed, director