Monteverdi: Madrigals (Live)

Featuring

Michał Straszewski
Michał Sawicki
Il Canto
Claudio Monteverdi

Did you know?

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Composer's Artistic Vision

Monteverdi is considered one of the 'inventors' of opera, bridging the formal Renaissance music with the emotionally charged Baroque style.

Recording & Production

This album features live recordings from two concerts: one in Tours on May 19, 1991, and another in Warsaw on October 10, 1997.

Critical Reception

Critics have praised Il Canto for their vocal virtuosity, correctness of style, excellent knowledge of early music, and perfect interpretative skills.

Composer Biography

Claudio Monteverdi, the composer, was born in Cremona, spent his early adult years at the court of the Gonzagas in Mantua, and his mature years in Venice.

Compositional Technique

Monteverdi wrote madrigals throughout his life, with 51 years separating his youthful Book 1 from Book 8, which was published in his lifetime.

Compositional Technique

Monteverdi's Book 5 of madrigals is significant in music history because it was the first time he used instrumental accompaniment (basso continuo) with singers.

Performer Biography

The Chamber Vocal Ensemble Il Canto won all possible prizes and the highest score in their category at a choral competition in Gorizia in 1990 for performing seven Monteverdi madrigals.