Dante Alighieri’s Commedia (‘The Divine Comedy’) is considered one of the greatest works of literature ever written. Its imagery has shaped Western understanding of the afterlife for more than seven centuries, and inspired an immense body of scholarship, philosophy, art, and music.

Telling Dante’s story, Stile Antico descends with Il Divino into Hell, journeys with him through Purgatory, and finally arrives at the gates of Heaven. Renaissance madrigals and sacred music by composers such as Palestrina, Guerrero and Morales illustrate the way, setting to music prayers which the poet features in his epic verse. Texts by Dante himself, set to music by Luzzaschi and Merulo, also narrate the story. These are punctuated by readings from the Divine Comedy. At the pinnacle of heaven we meet the Virgin Mary in Victoria’s glorious 12-part Magnificat.