The Monteverdi Choir, Durham Cathedral.

Sir John Eliot Gardiner's arrival in the North-East with his Monteverdi Choir was anticipated with a frisson of excitement among music lovers - and with good reason. Having taken the Monteverdi Vespers to some of the world's most esteemed secular venues, including the Palace of Versailles and Royal Albert Hall, Sir John concluded a tour of the work at Durham Cathedral; as a bonus concert of The Sage Gateshead’s subscription series. An audience of more than 1,000 people packed into the nave and transepts was enthralled. No modern sound system could ever rival the stunning surround sound, which completely enveloped this perfect liturgical setting for the 400-year-old sacred drama. The ingenious use of the aural space of the cathedral saw its challenging acoustic exploited to the full, with the passages of echo song brilliantly encapsulated in the exchange between two seraphims, calling to each other from across the length of the nave. Members of the London Oratory Junior Choir and the Schola Cantorum of The Cardinal Memorial School, perched unseen in the triforium galleries above, sounded for all the world like a host of angels singing from the heavens. The Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque soloists were in top form, with the whole rounded up sumptuously by the English Baroque Soloists and His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts. One of the many highlights was the Lauda Jerusalem, which culminated in thrilling syncopated exchanges between seven parts. In contrast, there were moments of ineffable intimacy, including an achingly beautiful rendition of The Sancta Maria; with lovely exchanges between the strings and woodwinds. The climactic Magnificat, with its Amen exquisitely drawn out, was profoundly moving. Speaking after the concert, Sir John said: "I'm sure that all of us - singers and players - felt fortunate that we were able to conclude our six-concert tour of the Monteverdi Vespers in the magical spaces of Durham cathedral: it was an uplifting experience matching this sublime music with Durham's architectural grandeur." It was a privileged experience for all.