THE MAGIC OF MONTEVERDI
Ensemble of 14 musicians

 

An unparalleled insight into the transformative power of Monteverdi's music

 

A brilliant musician born in 1567, the young Monteverdi published his first collections of sacred music and madrigals in Cremona. His talents as a singer and violist allowed him to enter the service of the Gonzaga court in Mantua, where he remained for more than twenty years. With this fertile environment and multiple influences, both musical and literary, Monteverdi innovated masterfully, producing modern music that made him one of the most renowned composers of his time.

 

This program, devoted to madrigals for mixed voices, offers a selection of Monteverdi’s finest works. It explores the madrigal in a variety of styles, from the purest polyphonic style to pieces rich in dissonances, through more elaborate works of a dancing nature. The program culminates in a performance of the famous Il Combattimento (The Combat of Tancred and Clorinda). This iconic work reveals all of Monteverdi’s dramatic genius, whose musical language evokes multiple and contradictory feelings, a recurring characteristic in all the works in this program.

 

For the first time since the 40th anniversary of Les Arts Florissants in 2019, William Christie and Paul Agnew are reuniting for a joint direction. William Christie will lead the continuo from the harpsichord, and Paul Agnew will lead and sing in the vocal ensemble.  Both are  experts in the Monteverdi repertoire that they have explored through major recordings.  Young singers, some from the Jardin des Voix school founded by these directors, will enrich this production and will introduce singers from the next generation.

 

 

THE PROGRAM

 

William Christie and Paul Agnew, directors

 

6 singers (including Paul Agnew) + 7 instrumentalists (including William Christie)

 

‘Volgendo il ciel’ (From Madrigals, Book 8)

‘Baci soavi e cari’ (Book 1)

‘Ecco mormorar l’onde’ (Book 2)

‘Chiome d’oro’ (Book 7)

‘Lamento della Ninfa’ (Book 8)

‘Sfogava con le stelle’ (Book 4)

‘Si ch’io vorrei morire’ (Book 4)

‘A quest’olmo (Book 8)

-INTERMISSION-

‘Il Combattimento’ (Book 8)

‘Romanesca’ (Book 7)

‘Zefiro Torno’ (Book 6)

‘Ballo ‘Tirsi e Cloro’ (Book 7)

 

Total time 80 minutes (2 hours including intermission)