Without doubt, Monteverdi was the greatest of the early baroque European composers. He revolutionised the music of the theatre and the church by his dramatic and imaginative use of voices and instruments and by his daring harmonies and rhythms. Next to his Vespers of 1610, the Selva morale e spirituale of 1641 is his most significant and virtuosic collection of sacred music. This second volume of The Sixteen's celebrated series includes the Messa à 4 da cappella. "These are some of the most spirited and individual performances of this repertory available." BBC Music Magazine "There are subtleties and shades in the overall ensemble's interactions, but there is no shortage of splendour unleashed in the magnificent passages of the virtuosic eight-part Dixit Dominus." Gramophone "The longest work on the disc, a superbly varied seven-part Gloria accompanied by two violins as well as continuo." The Guardian