| Claudio Monteverdi |
Index for Claudio |
Website Links For Claudio |
Information AboutClaudio Monteverdi |
|
Claudio Monteverdi ( May 15 , 1567 (baptised) – November 29 , 1643 ) was an Italian Composer , Violin ist and Singer . His work marks the transition from Renaissance to Baroque Music . During his long life he produced work that can be classified in both categories, and he was one of the most significant revolutionaries that brought about the change in style. Monteverdi wrote the earliest dramatically viable Opera , '' Orfeo '', and was fortunate enough to enjoy fame during his lifetime. Life and works He was born in Cremona in northern Italy. The name Monteverdi means 'green mountain' in Italian. In childhood he studied with Marc Antonio Ingegneri , who was ''maestro di cappella'' at the cathedral in Cremona. Since there is no record of him singing in the cathedral choir, the music lessons must have been private. Monteverdi produced his first music for publication—some Motet s and sacred Madrigal s—in only 1582 and 1583, so he must have been something of a child prodigy. In 1587 he produced his first book of secular madrigals, and shortly thereafter began to look for work outside of his native town. In 1590 Monteverdi began working at the court of ideal of the Sixteenth Century , with flowing strict Counterpoint , prepared Dissonance , and equality of voices; and ''seconda pratica'' using much freer counterpoint with an increasing hierarchy of voices, emphasising Soprano and Bass . This represents an unconscious move towards the new style of Monody . The introduction of a Continuo instrumental part in many of the madrigals of the book is a further self-consciously modern feature. In addition, the fifth book showed the beginnings of conscious functional Tonality . The ''Ottavo Libro'', published in 1638, includes the so-called ''Madrigali dei guerrieri ed amorosi'' which many consider to be the perfection of the madrigal form. As a whole, the first eight books of madrigals show the enormous development from the Renaissance Polyphonic music to the Monodic style which is typical of Baroque music. The ninth book of madrigals, published posthumously in 1651, contains lighter pieces, such as Canzonetta s, probably composed throughout his lifetime and representing both styles. From monody, with its emphasis on clear melodic lines, intelligible text and placid accompanying music, it was a logical step to begin composing Opera , especially for a dramatically inclined composer who also loved grand effect. In 1607 he composed his first opera, ''Orfeo''. It was common at that time for composers to create works on demand for special occasions, and this piece was meant to add some lustre to the annual Carnival of Mantua . Indeed it was a great success, fitting very well in the spirit of the times. ''Orfeo'' is marked by its dramatic power and lively Orchestration . Indeed, this piece is arguably the first example of a composer assigning specific instruments to parts, and it is also one of the first large compositions in which the exact instrumentation of the premiere has come down to us. The plot is described in vivid musical pictures and the melodies are linear and clear. With this opera Monteverdi had created an entirely new style of music, the ''dramma per musica'' (musical drama) as it was called. Monteverdi's operas are usually labelled "pre- Baroque " or "early-baroque". It is arguable that Monteverdi's greatest work remains the '' Vespro Della Beata Vergine 1610 '' (The Vespers of the Blessed Virgin 1610). This is one of his few sacred works of any scale, but it remains to this day one of the greatest examples of devotional music, matched only by works such as Palestrina 's '' Missa Papae Marcelli '', Handel's '' Messiah '', and J. S. Bach 's '' St. Matthew Passion ''. The scope of the work as a whole is breathtaking - each part (there are twenty-five in total) is fully developed in both a musical and dramatic sense - the instrumental textures are used to precise dramatic and emotional effect, in a way that had not been seen in before. The Vespers of 1610 are also one of the best examples of early ''repetition and contrast'', with many of the parts having a clear '' Ritornello ''. This was something entirely new to the public of the time, and was an immediate hit. In 1613 Monteverdi was appointed as conductor at San Marco in Venice , where he soon restored the musical standards of both the choir and instrumentalists, which had withered under the financial mismanagement of his predecessor, Giulio Cesare Martinengo . The managers of the basilica were relieved to have such a distinguished musician to take the post, where music had been in decline since the death of Giovanni Croce in 1609. While in Venice, Monteverdi also finished his sixth, seventh and eighth books of madrigals. The eighth is the largest, containing works written over a thirty-year period, including the dramatic scene ''Tancredi e Clorinda'' (1624), in which the orchestra and voices form two separate entities; they act as counterparts. Most likely Monteverdi was inspired to try this arrangement because of the two opposite balconies in San Marco, which had inspired much similar music from composers there, such as Gabrieli . What made this composition also stand out is the first-time use of string '' Tremolo '' (fast repetition of the same tone) and '' Pizzicato '' (plucking strings with fingers) for special effect in dramatic scenes. During the last years of his life Monteverdi became ill, but it did not keep him from composing his two last masterpieces, both operas: '' Il Ritorno D'Ulisse In Patria '' (''The Return of Ulysses'', 1641), and the historic opera '' L'incoronazione Di Poppea '' (''The Coronation of Poppea'', 1642), based on the life of the Roman Emperor Nero . ''L'incoronazione'' especially is considered a culminating point of Monteverdi's work. It contains tragic, romantic, as well as comic scenes (a new development in opera), more realistic portrayal of the characters, and warmer Melodies than had previously been heard. It requires a smaller orchestra, and has a less prominent role for the choir. Monteverdi was ordained a Catholic priest in 1633. He died in Venice . Compositions Monteverdi composed at least eighteen operas, of which only ''Orfeo'', ''L'incoronazione'', ''Il ritorno'', and the famous Aria "Lamento" from his second opera ''l'Arianna'' have survived:
Other works include secular and sacred compositions:
See also: Media External links Further reading
|