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Monteverdi the radical: Sara Mohr-Pietsch marks the 450th anniversary of the birth of composer Claudio Monteverdi with an investigation into his life and music, exploring what made him a modernist and a radical in his day. Sara visits the three important cities in which he lived: Venice, Mantua and Cremona, to discover what shaped him as man and musician. She interviews performers Sir John Eliot Gardiner and Ottavio Dantone about their personal perspectives on Monteverdi, and academic Ellen Rosand discusses the latest research into his music.

Venice: Justine Rapaccioli, Assistant Choral Director at San Marco talks about Monteverdi's prestigious role there, and Ellen Rosand discusses Monteverdi's style in his last operas and how that relates to his earlier music.

Mantua: Sara visits the church of Santa Barbara at the Palazzo Ducale, where Monteverdi was employed by Vincenzo Gonzaga, and sees a fascinating document relating to the first performance of L'Orfeo.

Cremona: Sara heads for the city of Monteverdi's birth to find the connection in his music with his early life. She visits the Museo del violino, and takes a look at Monteverdi's birth record.

Plus John Eliot Gardiner reflects on how Monteverdi's music has been a cornerstone of his career, and gives his thoughts on the freshness and originality of his operas today.