Celebrated early music ensemble Les Arts Florissants will celebrate the 450th anniversary of Claudio Monteverdi’s birth with a concerts in Sydney at The Concourse in Chatswood. The ensemble, which was founded by Franco-American harpsichordist and conductor William Christie in 1979, will present two concerts of madrigals directed by the ensemble’s associate music director, British tenor Paul Agnew.

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“Les Arts Florissants is considered to be the pre-eminent Baroque ensemble in the world. It is a testament to The Concourse performing arts centre to have secured them in an exclusive Sydney appearance in April,” said Greg Khoury, the venue’s Executive Director.

The ensemble for Sydney will be accompanied by two lutenists and harpsichord and comprises six singers from England, France, Italy, Northern Ireland, Scotland, with Australia represented by soprano Miriam Allan, a regular returnee for Pinchgut Opera productions.

The first concert will feature madrigals from Cremona, where Monteverdi was born and began composing while the second will feature works from Mantua, where Monteverdi worked as a vocalist and viol player before becoming music director at the court of Vincenzo I of Gonzaga.

“Interpreting his madrigals allows us to understand the fantastic evolution of...