On Tuesday 10 May, Sevenoaks School was treated to a indulgence of early baroque music, given by The Sixteen. Harry Christophers directed the internationally famous choir in a selection of movements from Monteverdi’s Selva Morale e Spirituale. The choir is busy preparing for a recording of the set and this was a fine opportunity to hear the interpretation before release.

The sopranos Grace Davidson and Elin Manahan Thomas were divine, reflecting every subtle nuance of the conductor and never losing the wonderful purity of line that is so essential to this music. Leading the variety of accompanying instruments were Walter Reiter and Simon Jones, whose stylish baroque violin playing was an education to the young violinists in the audience. Oddly, Mr Christophers chose to leave out the well known Beatus Vir, but the large religious pieces which closed both halves, first the Magnificat and last Dixit Dominus, were real gems. Delicately placed in the middle of the recital were the more secular items, one of which, O ciechi, ciechi, the ensemble performed again at the end as the audience demanded an encore.