THE magnificent choral music of four centuries will be heard in the Great Malvern Priory, this June.

And there will be a distinctly Italian theme.

A spokesman said: “Birmingham Bach Choir head into summer with Espressivo!, an eclectic selection of Italian choral music.

“With a programme of both sacred and secular choral music, highlights include madrigals by two of the greatest Italians of their day, late Renaissance composers Claudio Monteverdi and Carlo Gesualdo.”

Born in 1567, Monteverdi was a pioneer who modernised church music and laid the foundations for opera.

The spine tingling Rimanti in pace a la dolente e bella Fillida is from his third book of madrigals, published in 1592.

The other heavily featured composer was an interesting character.

The spokesman added: “A controversial figure, the private life of Carlo Gesualdo, the Prince of Venosa, has tended to overshadow his musical accomplishments.

“He brutally murdered his wife and her lover, having caught them in the act, in 1590, for which he was not punished, had a disastrous second marriage marred by accusations of abuse, lived in isolation, and shacked up with a witch. “

As you do.

The date for the diary is Saturday June 16.

Tickets are available from: www.birmingham.bachchoir.com