Claudio Monteverdi
NDR Das Alte Werk: Concerto Italiano
2017 is a Monteverdi year. The »divine Claudio«, as he was called by his many admirers during his lifetime, was born 450 years ago in Cremona, Northern Italy. The exquisite ensemble Concerto Italiano, with Rinaldo Alessandrini at its head, can rightfully claim to be Monteverdi’s best representative on earth today. They will celebrate their birthday boy with highlights from his most spectacular madrigals and instrumental movements.
Few have revolutionised music history quite as much as Monteverdi did. He threw out the old severe laws of composition, established during the Middle Ages, and replaced them with a new expressivity and individuality of expression.
There will be tales of lovers and warriors told this evening. For example, the story of Tancredi and Clorinda. The former sweethearts meet again, during the crusades, in a duel or »combattimento«. At first they have no idea who is hidden under the armour of their opponent. Only when Clorinda is fatally wounded by his sword does Tancredi realise whom he has killed. Monteverdi describes the emotions of these two heroes in a »stile concitato«: using quick, repeated syllables on one and the same note, which stir and arouse the listeners’ emotions.
Performers
Concerto Italiano
Rinaldo Alessandrini harpsichord and direction
Programme
»Notte – Storie di amanti e guerrieri«
Claudio Monteverdi
Sinfonia / »Orfeo«
Hor che’l ciel e la terra a 6 voci / aus: Madrigali guerrieri ed amorosi ..., libro ottavo
Sinfonia / L’incoronazione di Poppea
Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda / aus »Madrigali guerrieri ed amorosi ..., libro ottavo«
Vivrò fra i miei tormenti e le mie cure / aus »Il terzo libro de madrigali a cinque voci«
Lamento della ninfa / aus: Madrigali guerrieri ed amorosi
Ecco mormorar l’onde / aus »Secondo libro dei madrigali«
Sinfonia / aus »Septimo libro dei madrigali«
Al lume delle stelle / aus: Settimo libro dei madrigali
A Dio, Florida bella, il cor piagato / aus »Sesto libro dei madgrigali«
Sinfonia / »Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria«
Quando l’alba in oriente / aus: Scherzi musicali
Estimated end time
21:30