Thursday, April 16, 2026
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The Washington, D.C.–based ensemble The Thirteen is turning a new page in its artistic journey this spring, shifting its focus from the sacred to the secular works of Claudio Monteverdi in a program titled Monteverdi Refracted. The concert series, taking place May 1–3 across the D.C. region, marks a significant evolution for the acclaimed choir and orchestra, which has spent the past seven years performing and recording nearly all of Monteverdi’s sacred music.
Now, under the direction of Artistic Director Matthew Robertson, the ensemble explores a different side of the influential composer—one that is more intimate, expressive and, at times, daring. Monteverdi’s secular works, particularly his madrigals, form the centerpiece of the program. These pieces, known for their emotional intensity and vivid text setting, reveal a composer deeply engaged with the human experience.
The performances will take place at three venues. Courtesy The Thirteen Choir.
Rather than presenting these works in isolation, The Thirteen has designed a program that places Monteverdi in dialogue with both his contemporaries and modern composers. Music by Carlo Gesualdo and Barbara Strozzi—figures who also helped shape the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque—will be featured alongside contemporary compositions by Eric Whitacre, Ildebrando Pizzetti and Morton Lauridsen.
The result is a thoughtfully curated program that spans centuries while drawing connections between musical eras. According to Robertson, the repertoire has been arranged into thematic groupings that move through a range of imagery and ideas, from love poetry and pastoral landscapes to birds, mythology and the cosmos. These pairings are designed not only to highlight stylistic contrasts, but also to underscore enduring questions about emotion, nature and the human condition.
“This music inhabits a strikingly different expressive world,” Robertson notes of Monteverdi’s secular output. “It’s more intimate, more volatile, and in some ways more daring.” By juxtaposing these works with those of later composers, the ensemble seeks to illuminate both historical context and contemporary resonance.
The performances will take place at three venues: Trinity United Methodist Church on Friday, May 1 at 7:30 p.m.; Holy Trinity Catholic Church on Saturday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m.; and Westmoreland United Methodist Church on Sunday, May 3 at 5 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $70.
Monteverdi Refracted also serves as the culminating program of The Thirteen’s 2025–26 season, titled “Kaleidoscope,” which has emphasized shifting perspectives and multifaceted musical storytelling. Known for its precision and expressive depth, the ensemble has earned praise from critics, including Gramophone, which described the group as “exquisite in every way.”
Founded with a mission to reimagine the potential of vocal music, The Thirteen has built a reputation for blending historical repertoire with contemporary works. Courtesy The Thirteen Choir.
Founded with a mission to reimagine the potential of vocal music, The Thirteen has built a reputation for blending historical repertoire with contemporary works, creating performances that resonate across time. Whether interpreting early chant or premiering new compositions, the group aims to connect audiences through music that is both intellectually engaging and emotionally immediate.
With Monteverdi Refracted, The Thirteen invites listeners to experience a lesser-known dimension of one of music history’s most pivotal figures—while reflecting on the timeless nature of artistic expression itself.
The result is a thoughtfully curated program that spans centuries while drawing connections between musical eras. Courtesy The Thirteen Choir.