April 27, 1595 – a spring morning, the sunrays slowly warm up the waters of the Venetian Lagoon. Yet it is not the azure of the sky that captivates the brightened eyes of those gathered in St Mark’s Square. The newly elected Doge paces in a stately procession towards the gates of the basilica, where the coronation Mass will be held. During the service, music unparalleled anywhere in the world will resound.

A Venetian Coronation, 1595 – a project by Paul McCreesh and the Gabrieli Consort & Players – is an aural reconstruction of the coronation Mass for the Venetian Doge Marino Grimani. The former director of Wratislavia Cantans returns to the programme that was part of the festival almost thirty years ago. For one evening, the Cathedral of St  Mary Magdalene in Szewska Street will be transformed with the power of music into St  Mark’s Basilica. We will hear singers  scattered across the venue in the traditional style, along with period instruments and a magnificent organ. Compositions by masters of the Venetian school will be performed, along with sections of the mass sung in monophonic chorale, which accompanied, or could have accompanied, the lavish celebrations of over four centuries ago.

In the second half of the 16th century, the capital of the republic known as La Serenissima (The Brightest), despite the slow decline of its power, became one of the most important musical centres in Europe. Artists employed at St Mark’s developed the polychoral technique of cori spezzati, using instruments interchangeably with vocal parts. The most important composers of this period were Andrea Gabrieli and his nephew and student Giovanni – their works constitute the lion’s part of this concert. It is easy to guess that the famous ensemble led by McCreesh has been named after them. The programme, imbued with splendour, will also feature music by Claudio Merula and Cesario Gussagi, and the glories of Venice will be complemented by majestic trumpet pieces, mastered at that time by Cesare Bendinelli. Gondoliers are not included.