Beatus vir
Claudio Monteverdi (Cremona, May 15, 1567 – Venice, November 29, 1643) was … Read Full Bio ↴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.
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.
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.
Beatus vir
Claudio Monteverdi Lyrics
Instrumental
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@80907kittygirl
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.
@IpCrackle
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!
@voxceleste8
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.
@lewisbreland
I can not imagine a more beautiful piece of music EVER written! Paid for and advocated by the Church! Beautiful beyond words! FEEL IT! It's friggin remarkable. Beatus vir or "His beauty!" is the most profound piece of music in our canon of music...the finest piece EVER written by ANYONE...um...EVER! It's simple, it's emotional, it's gorgeous...like a fine painting...it IS the Mona Lisa of Sacred Christian music...of HUMAN culture. It is divine! AND I'm an atheist! :D lol
@bebetonguga
It´s really a wonderful version! Really enjoyable.
@ChrisTheGregory
Monteverdi was right at the tail edge of the Renaissance, and so it's almost certain that the relationship between the 4/4 and 3/4 sections was a fixed proportion. They key to finding a good tempo for this piece is to figure out that proportion, then select a tempo where the 4/4 sections aren't too slow and the 3/4 section isn't too fast. Of course you also have to figure in the acoustics of the hall, as lots of reverb would muddy and blur the notes in a fast tempo.
@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.
@eeyoreroxful
love this piece. I hated it when we started doing it in choir but now i love it, especially the AMEN!!!!
@dreuxschwartz
splendid old baroque piece! 5 stars.
@PerPassione
Absolutely love this piece *sigh*