Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)
Episode 3 of 5: Songs of War and Love
First broadcast: Wednesday 21 May 2014

Today Donald Macleod plays us a selection of music from Monteverdi's superb Eighth Book of Madrigals, '...Of War and Love'. It contains some of the most dramatic music the world had ever heard.

Monteverdi was not universally loved, and in 1637 became embroiled in an unpleasant incident with a singer who had slandered him in public. The protracted court proceeding were eventually concluded to his satisfaction; it must have been a relief to turn to the publication of his Eighth Book of Madrigals, which shows off his superb dramatic style of vocal writing. Sensuous, martial, erotic, mournful, witty, these pieces are incredibly expressive and require real vocal agility and acting skills from the performers.

At the grand old age of 76, Monteverdi went on a tour of Lombardy, which was something of a triumph. However, it seems to have worn the old man out, and he died shortly after returning to Venice. He is buried in the Lombard Chapel of the beautiful Frari church, where a plain marble slab marks his final resting place.

We'll conclude the week, tomorrow and Friday, by looking at Monteverdi's last great operatic masterpieces - The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland, and The Coronation of Poppea.

00:03
Claudio Monteverdi
Hor che' l ciel e la terra for 6 voices
Director: Rinaldo Alessandrini. Ensemble: Concerto Italiano.
OPUS 111: OPS 30-187, OPUS 111, 13

00:08
Claudio Monteverdi
Cosi sol d'una chiara fonte viva
Director: Rinaldo Alessandrini. Ensemble: Concerto Italiano.
OPUS III : OPS-30-187, OPUS III, 14

00:15
Claudio Monteverdi
Lamento della Ninfa: Non acea Febo ancora & Amor dicea
Ensemble: Concerto Italiano. Performer: Rinaldo Alessandrini.
OPUS 111: OPS 30-187, OPUS 111, 3 & 4

00:22
Claudio Monteverdi
Vago augelletto, che cantando vai for 6-7 voices and strings
Ensemble: Concerto Italiano. Director: Rinaldo Alessandrini.
OPUS III : OPS-30-187, OPUS III, 5

00:27
Claudio Monteverdi
Perche t'en fuggi, O Fillide
Ensemble: Concerto Italiano. Performer: Rinaldo Alessandrini.
OPUS 111: OPS 30-187, OPUS 111, 6

00:34
Claudio Monteverdi
Dolcissimo uscignolo ["cantato a voce piena, alla francese"] for 5 voices
Ensemble: Concerto Italiano. Director: Rinaldo Alessandrini.
OPUS III : OPS-30-187, OPUS III, 16

00:37
Claudio Monteverdi
Ardo, avvampo, [bad word] for 8 voices, 2 violins & continuo
Ensemble: Concerto Italiano. Director: Rinaldo Alessandrini.
OPUS III : OPS-30-187, OPUS III, 17

00:43
Claudio Monteverdi
Altri canti d'amor for 6 voices and 2 violins
Conductor: René Jacobs.
HARMONIA MUNDI HMC 901736.37, HARMONIA MUNDI, 1

00:52
Claudio Monteverdi
Altri canti di Marte for 6 voices and 2 violins
Ensemble: Concerto Vocale. Conductor: René Jacobs.
HARMONIA MUNDI : HMC-901736.37, HARMONIA MUNDI, 10

 [bad word] /www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b043q0gz
 [bad word]  [bad word] wall-71199334_5