Performer: Jonathan Brown

The greatest music of the 18th century – no arguments, please – is given a fine reading at London's Barbican. 

This Evangelist had just come straight from Golgotha, where he had witnessed events so momentous he was compelled to recount them at once.

It was unfair to pair the exquisite madrigals and songs of Barbara Strozzi with a weighty piece by Monteverdi.