[Claudio Monteverdi] Introducing Famous and Representative Works
Claudio Monteverdi, an Italian composer active from the 15th to the 17th century.
He was a viola da gamba player and also a singer.
His works lie at the transitional point between Renaissance and Baroque music.
After serving as maestro di cappella at the court of Mantua, he became the music director of St.
Mark’s Basilica in Venice, helping to shape the city’s most splendid musical era.
Composing songs, sacred music, and operas, he was a transformative figure in musical style and played a major role in the shift from Renaissance to Baroque music.
In this article, we introduce some of Monteverdi’s masterpieces and representative works.
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[Claudio Monteverdi] Introducing Famous and Representative Works (21–30)
From Book 6 of Madrigals: Arianna’s Lament – Ah, you do not answerClaudio Monteverdi
From The Sixth Book of Madrigals (Il Sesto Libro de Madrigali), Lament of Arianna (Lamento d’Arianna), Part IV: “Ah, you do not even answer” (Ahi, che non pur risponde).
Performed by the mixed chorus Gasshōdan Mai from Ina City, Nagano Prefecture, at the Arezzo International Choral Competition.
From the Sixth Book of Madrigals: Arianna’s Lament – O Teseo, O My TheseusClaudio Monteverdi
From the Sixth Book of Madrigals (Il Sesto Libro de Madrigali), Lament of Ariadne (Lamento d’Arianna), Part II: “O Teseo, o Teseo mio.” Performed by the vocal consort Per Passione, at Ebeltoft Church, Denmark.
[Claudio Monteverdi] Introducing Famous and Representative Works (31–40)
Madrigals, Book 6: A Lover’s Tears Shed on His Beloved’s TombClaudio Monteverdi
From the Sixth Book of Madrigals (Il Sesto Libro de Madrigali): Sestina: Lagrime d’amante al sepolcro dell’amata (The lover’s tears at his beloved’s tomb).
Performed by the Maria Magdalena Chamber Choir, conducted by Mats Nilsson, at St.
Paul’s Church in Stockholm.
From Madrigals, Book 6: The West Wind Returns, and Fair Weather ComesClaudio Monteverdi
From the Sixth Book of Madrigals (Il Sesto Libro de Madrigali): Zefiro torna e’l bel tempo rimena (The West Wind Returns, Bringing Fair Weather).
Performed by La Compagnia del Madrigale.
Soprano: Rossana Bertini; Tenor: Giuseppe Maletto; and others.
From Book 7 of Madrigals: ‘Gentle Heart and the Flame of Love’, ‘Return to Me, O Sweet Kiss’Claudio Monteverdi
From the Madrigal Book 7 (Il Settimo Libro de Madrigali): No.
2: “Not of a gentle heart” (Non è di gentil core), No.
13: “Return to me, O sweet kisses” (Tornate, o cari baci).
Performed by sopranos: Monika Mezey and Júlia Szalánczy.
From Madrigals, Book 7: I am a lovely shepherd girlClaudio Monteverdi
From the Madrigal Book VII (Il Settimo Libro de Madrigali), No.
5: “I am indeed a charming shepherdess” (Io son pur vezzosetta pastorella).
Performed by sopranos Carlotta Colombo and Carolina Lidia Facchi, with Antonio Eros Negri on organ.
From Madrigals, Book II: The Sun Had Not Yet RisenClaudio Monteverdi
From the Madrigals, Book 2 (Il Secondo Libro de Madrigali): “Non si levav’ancor l’alba novella” (“The new dawn had not yet risen”).
Performed by Motetto Profano.
Sopranos: Elena Bazzo and Martina Garrett; Bass: Giovanni Florian; and others.