Monteverdi: La dolce vita

Featuring

Wolfgang Katschner
Dorothee Mields
Lautten Compagney
Claudio Monteverdi

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Compositional Technique

Monteverdi's "Lamento della ninfa" from his Eighth Book of Madrigals is a classic example of a lovelorn lament in a vibrant ternary metre over a descending passacaglia bass.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Monteverdi believed that the musical notes should stem from the 'harmonious spirit' within the text itself, allowing the listener to hear the song silently within the words.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded in St.-Andreas-Kirche Berlin-Wannsee, with Benjamin Dreßler as the recording producer, balance engineer, editor, and mastering engineer.

Composer Biography

Claudio Monteverdi, the composer, was the maestro di cappella at St Mark's in Venice and was still a dominant force in Venetian theatres in his seventies.

Historical Context

Opera against admission was a new form of entertainment in Venice in 1640, with tickets for Monteverdi's new opera selling out quickly.

Composition History

In the last four years of his life, Monteverdi had four operas performed in Venice, including "Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria" and "L'incoronazione di Poppea."