The "renowned choral group" Armonico Consort is to give a summer evening candlelit performance of Rachmaninov's glorious Vespers at St Mary, Warwick on 21 June.

Rachmaninov's great choral achievement "provides a chance to experience an hour of contemplation and mindfulness in an evocative candlelit setting". 

Written in 1915, while Rachmaninov was on a concert tour of Russia to support the war effort.

It was hugely popular from the outset and Rachmaninov said: "Even in my wildest dreams I could not have imagined that I could write such a work."

He hoped its fifth movement would be played at his funeral. 

Led by founder-director Christopher Monks, Armonico Consort is one of today's leading vocal groups, especially known for its innovative concerts of choral masterpieces, and its critically-acclaimed performances and recordings. 

Christopher Monks says, "Rachmaninov Vespers is simply the most gorgeous choral music ever to have been written, and for a moment in time, simply nothing else will matter." 

Armonico Consort sings Rachmaninov Vespers at the Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick (21 June).

See more here.