Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

Kate Molleson explores the life and music of Claudio Monteverdi, following his path from early experiments in Cremona to a career that would reshape European music. Trained in the traditions of Renaissance polyphony, Monteverdi gradually pushed against its limits, developing a more direct and expressive musical language. His years at the Mantuan court brought both opportunity and pressure, as he wrote increasingly bold madrigals and helped to establish opera as a new art form. After a period of upheaval, he rebuilt his career in Venice, adapting his music to new spaces, audiences and expectations as public opera emerged. Across sacred works, madrigals and stage pieces, Monteverdi’s writing reflects a composer responding closely to the demands of his time.

Featuring excerpts from:

Scherzi musicali a tre voci: Damigella tutta bella

Sacrae cantiunculae

Canzonette a tre voci (Nos. 1–3)

Sinfonia for two violins and viola da brazzo

Vattene pur, crudel

L’Orfeo

Madrigali amorosi

Cruda Amarilli

Io mi son giovinetta

Vespers of 1610