The Scherzi musicali (1632) anthology, compiled by Bartolomeo Magni, survives in a single copy housed in Poland.
Composition History
The posthumous Ninth Book of Madrigals (1651) was compiled by Alessandro Vincenti, the publisher of Monteverdi's Eighth Book, and includes works likely intended for the earlier, extensive publication.
Composition History
This album features works from two Monteverdi publications compiled by others, likely publishers keen to present his work to a noble dedicatee, gathering unpublished compositions.
Composer Biography
Claudio Monteverdi, an illustrious adopted son of Venice, died in 1643 at age 76 and is buried in a side chapel of the Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, near Titian's Assumption of the Virgin.
Historical Context
The Scherzi musicali (1632) was published in Venice shortly after a plague epidemic, making its 'light' offering of songs by the famous Monteverdi a commercially astute move.
Compositional Technique
The Scherzi musicali (1632) are mostly 'ariettas' – settings of strophic texts – a simpler style popular with both professional and amateur singers, akin to 'light music' today.
Interpretation
The ensemble Delitiæ Musicæ aims for historically informed performances, including all verses and ritornelli, even when modern editions often omit them, as seen in 'Ed è pur dunque vero'.
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