The Bury and District Recorded music Circle welcomed Programme Secretary Mr Michael Blunt who presented his programme entitled 'Italian Trio'.

The Trio being the composers Claudio Monteverdi, born 1567, Antonio Vivaldi, born 1678, and Ottorino Respighi, born 1879. Opening with Monteverdi, famous for opera, church music and madrigals. Michael played two selections from La Favola d'Orfeo, The Fable of Orpheus an opera wriitten in 1607.

First we heard the opening Toccata, followed by Orpheus seeking strength to enter Hades to rescue Euridice, sung by Nigel Rogers, tenor. Next came the church music, first Laudati Dominum, Nigel Rogers followed by Salve Regeera, sung by Emma Kirlday and Judith Nielson, from Vespers of 1610. Finally the madrigal, we heard extracts from his Eighth Book of 1638.

Michael now intrduced Antonio Vivaldi, opening with the third movement of his Concerto for Two Violins op3 no8. Followed by three extracts from his Gloria, with the choir of St Johns College Cambridge and finally the Concerto for Oboe and Orchestra.

Respighi now took the platform, first the opening of his dramatic symphony 1914, followed by La Primavera from the Botticelli Pictures 1927. The third suite of Ancient Airs and Dances 1924. Two excerpts from The Pines of Rome, The Pines of Villa Borghese, The Pines of Le Vin Appia and The Appian Way. The latter is a main route in Rome and in the music one can visualise a legion of Roman soldiers marching along in all their splendour, a dramatic, truly rousing end to the programme.

Michael had covered over 400 years of Italian music and was warmly applauded by the members for his effort.

Next meeting Friday, October 7th, member Mr Brian Natton presents a sequal to his programme of last year titled, 'Still Sounds Familiar'.

JS