The popular melody 'La Mantovana' (also known as 'Ballo di Mantova'), which originated from a 15th-century Hebrew prayer, was transformed by Monteverdi and later became the Israeli National Anthem, 'Hatikvah'.
Album & Artwork
The album's program is a sonic journey tracing the evolution of love's musical expression from the Renaissance to the late Baroque, exploring its facets through French, Italian, and Spanish languages.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The album explores various dimensions of love: passionate eros, unconditional agape, the philia of friendship, and storge of family love, as nurtured by the poetry and music of different eras.
Interpretation
The ensemble includes Pernelle Marzorati on harp, Mathilde Vialle on viola da gamba, and Laurent Sauron on percussion, each instrument chosen to dialogue with the voice and express specific emotions.
Historical Context
Monody is a direct descendant of ancient Greek theater, where actors modulated their voices to convey emotion, linking theater and music and giving rise to ancient modes.
Compositional Technique
The program's essential starting point is monody, a solo voice supported by minimal but intensely expressive instrumental accompaniment, which emerged at the end of the Renaissance.
Instruments
Quito Gato, a performer on this album, plays a variety of historical instruments including the vihuela, lute, theorbo, and guitar, each offering a distinct tonal color.
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