Beatus vir
Claudio Monteverdi (Cremona, May 15, 1567 – Venice, November 29, 1643) was an Italian composer, violinist 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. Read Full BioClaudio Monteverdi (Cremona, May 15, 1567 – Venice, November 29, 1643) was an Italian composer, violinist 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.
Claudio Monteverdi was born in 1567 in Cremona, Lombardy. His father was Baldassare Monteverdi, a doctor, apothecary and amateur surgeon. He was the oldest of five children. During his childhood, he was taught by Marc'Antonio Ingegneri, the maestro di cappella at the Cathedral of Cremona. The Maestro’s job was to conduct important worship services in accordance with the liturgy of the Catholic Church. Monteverdi learned about music by being part of the cathedral choir. He also studied at the University of Cremona. His first music was written for publication, including some motets and sacred madrigals, in 1582 and 1583.
His first five publications were: 'Sacrae cantiunculae', 1582 (a collection of miniature motets); 'Madrigali Spirituali', 1583 (a volume of which only the bass partbook is extant); 'Canzonette a tre voci', 1584 (a collection of three-voice canzonettes); and the five-part madrigals 'Book I', 1587, and 'Book II', 1590. Monteverdi worked for the court of Mantua first as a singer and violist, then as music director. He worked at the court of Vincenzo I of Gonzaga in Mantua as a vocalist and viol player. In 1602, he was working as the court conductor.[
In 1599 Monteverdi married the court singer Claudia Cattaneo, who died in September 1607. They had two sons (Francesco and Massimilino) and a daughter (Leonora). Another daughter died shortly after birth.
By 1613, he had moved to San Marco in Venice where, as conductor, he quickly restored the musical standard of both the choir and the instrumentalists. The musical standard had declined due to the financial mismanagement of his predecessor, Giulio Cesare Martinengo.[ The managers of the basilica were relieved to have such a distinguished musician in charge, as the music had been declining since the death of Giovanni Croce in 1609.
In 1632, he became a priest. During the last years of his life, when he was often ill, he composed his two last masterpieces: '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, and comic scenes (a new development in opera), a more realistic portrayal of the characters, and warmer melodies than previously heard. It requires a smaller orchestra, and has a less prominent role for the choir. For a long period of time, Monteverdi's operas were merely regarded as a historical or musical interest. Since the 1960s, The Coronation of Poppea has re-entered the repertoire of major opera companies worldwide.
Monteverdi died in Venice on 29 November 1643 and was buried at the church of the Frari.
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. Read Full BioClaudio Monteverdi (Cremona, May 15, 1567 – Venice, November 29, 1643) was an Italian composer, violinist 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.
Claudio Monteverdi was born in 1567 in Cremona, Lombardy. His father was Baldassare Monteverdi, a doctor, apothecary and amateur surgeon. He was the oldest of five children. During his childhood, he was taught by Marc'Antonio Ingegneri, the maestro di cappella at the Cathedral of Cremona. The Maestro’s job was to conduct important worship services in accordance with the liturgy of the Catholic Church. Monteverdi learned about music by being part of the cathedral choir. He also studied at the University of Cremona. His first music was written for publication, including some motets and sacred madrigals, in 1582 and 1583.
His first five publications were: 'Sacrae cantiunculae', 1582 (a collection of miniature motets); 'Madrigali Spirituali', 1583 (a volume of which only the bass partbook is extant); 'Canzonette a tre voci', 1584 (a collection of three-voice canzonettes); and the five-part madrigals 'Book I', 1587, and 'Book II', 1590. Monteverdi worked for the court of Mantua first as a singer and violist, then as music director. He worked at the court of Vincenzo I of Gonzaga in Mantua as a vocalist and viol player. In 1602, he was working as the court conductor.[
In 1599 Monteverdi married the court singer Claudia Cattaneo, who died in September 1607. They had two sons (Francesco and Massimilino) and a daughter (Leonora). Another daughter died shortly after birth.
By 1613, he had moved to San Marco in Venice where, as conductor, he quickly restored the musical standard of both the choir and the instrumentalists. The musical standard had declined due to the financial mismanagement of his predecessor, Giulio Cesare Martinengo.[ The managers of the basilica were relieved to have such a distinguished musician in charge, as the music had been declining since the death of Giovanni Croce in 1609.
In 1632, he became a priest. During the last years of his life, when he was often ill, he composed his two last masterpieces: '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, and comic scenes (a new development in opera), a more realistic portrayal of the characters, and warmer melodies than previously heard. It requires a smaller orchestra, and has a less prominent role for the choir. For a long period of time, Monteverdi's operas were merely regarded as a historical or musical interest. Since the 1960s, The Coronation of Poppea has re-entered the repertoire of major opera companies worldwide.
Monteverdi died in Venice on 29 November 1643 and was buried at the church of the Frari.
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M Garcia
By far, the best recording I have heard of this piece. I just love it. I could listen to it over and over. I think the tempo is just right and sthe blend is perfect.
A. V. Melchior
Thank you for this offering! We did this in college choir, as humble as it was, and everyone loved it! The instruments add so much to the impact of this psalm. I enjoy all your postings...thanks again! Fr. Joseph H.
Palestrina's Masses
Monteverdi's music is so delightful to listen to. Also, i find that his style of melody, use of repetition, and technique of arrangement are actually somewhat "pop"-ish. Obviously his music is a lot more beautiful and substantial than the popular music of today, but what differentiates him from both his Renaissance predecessors and later-Baroque and Classical followers is his music doesn't strive to be "complex", "sophisticated", "natural" or "humble"-- it had no agenda other than sounding good!
Juan Eduardo Villarraza
It´s really a wonderful version! Really enjoyable.
Taylor Harper
UGH!!!! This song is perfect. If one of those 'mainstream' artists finds this unmistakably wonderful piece of art, and 'remakes' it, I will be utterky furious. I cant wait for an opportunity to be apart of a Chorale that would perform this properly. Just as these fine musicians have done. In my opinon the tempo is impeccable at most times, but at others it seems a bit fast for the period. Does anyone know who conducted or performed this piece? I would love to download there works
FabioCostaMusic
I find the square tempo perfect: one has to let the harmony/counterpoint sink in; doing this one can understand the joy of "beatus" as a harmonious one, in harmony with nature, counterpoint, etc, but I agree that the triple time might be more jubilant, dancing - and you can stretch it a bit then for the fusae.
PippinRally
Very difficult to sing but totally worth it when you get it right!
monteverdi1567
Since the model for this piece ("Chiome d'oro" ) is often taken at a really fast clip, there are some who feel this piece must be done at the same pace. I tend to disagree-- I would take this work a *shade* or two faster HOWEVER. . .that being said, this is beautifully done, with careful and sensitive attention to details like phrasing blend, diction, etc, and there is no denying the joy and conviviality of the music, or the skill of the performers and their interpretation.
WilliamEGD
Wow amazingly beautiful and well crafted piece... One of my favourites so far.
treblechoir99
Very nice and clear. Rewarding voice.