Last Sunday Before Lent: Vivaldi's Laudamus Te

This coming week we will begin the penitential season of Lent, during which we will not recite or sing the Gloria at Mass.  I thought it would be appropriate to post one last joyful snippet on this last Sunday before our Lenten journey begins on Ash Wednesday.

Vivaldi is known to have composed at least three different settings for the Gloria, from one of which the "Laudamus Te" below is taken. Aside from the curious impression that the two sopranos are singing from behind prison bars, this is a beautiful rendition.