Synopses & Reviews
Paolo Fabbri's Monteverdi, first published in Italian, is the leading study of the greatest composer of late Renaissance and early Baroque Italy, rightly called the "father of modern music." A large number of contemporary documents, including some 130 of his own letters, offer rich insights into the composer and his times, also illuminating the many and varied contexts for music-making in the most important musical centers in Italy. This newly revised translation brings an indispensable text to a much broader readership.
Review
"...the best complete survey of the life and works of Claudio Monteverdi....[a] graceful translation....[a] splendid book..." Renaissance Quarterly"With the publication of this book there now is available, pulled together in a single easily accessible and very readable source, the most up-to-date and fullest scholarly information on Claudio Monteverdi's life and the context of his work....The thoroughness of Fabbri's research produces fascinating insights into the opera's creation, it formal shaping, and even the Tuscan language of its libretto, so rich in classicizing allusions....Fabbri's excellent book lets the reader apprehend the true historical context in which Monteverdi created his extraordinary music." The Opera Quarterly"The translation of Fabbri's exhaustive biography of Monteverdi helpfully fills a gap in the study of late Italian Renaissance music and early opera. ...this study makes itself an invaluable resource with its impressive array of documents and its meticulous chronicling of the known facts of Monteverdi's life." Sixteenth Century Journal"...offers an abundance of information and insight and is the most useful single-volume chronicle available." V. J. Panetta, Choice"The prospect of rereading Paolo Fabbri's study, this time in a revised English edition translated by Tim Carter, was one I very much relished....Fabbri manages to provide the most comprehensive picture to date of the composer's career as well as his reputation during his lifetime. The publishers and translator should certainly be applauded for their desire to make this enriched portrait available to a wider readership." Ellen Rosand, American Historical Review
Synopsis
Monteverdiâs contribution to secular, sacred and theatrical music in the period was unparalleled: his madrigals, church music and operas remain very much alive today. In this book, a large number of contemporary documents including some 130 of his own letters, offer rich insights into the composer and his times.
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. [312]-322) and indexes.
Table of Contents
Foreword; Preface; Notes on Monteverdi's texts; Introduction; Part I. Cremona: 1. Birth, family, surroundings; 2. The Sacrae cantiunculae tribus vocibus (1582); 3. The Madrigali spirituali a quattro voci (1583); 4. The Canzonette a tre voci (1584); 5.The Madrigali a cinque voci ...Libro primo (1587); 6. Il secondo libro de madrigali a cinque voci (1590); Part II. Mantua: 7. Mantua; 8. Il terzo libro de madrigali a cinque voci (1592); 9. 1594 1599; 10. The dispute over the âseconda praticaâ; 11. 1601 1604; 12. Il quarto libro de madrigali a cinque voci (1603); 13. Il quinto libro de madrigali a cinque voci (1605); 14. 1605 1607; 15. Orfeo (1607); 16. The Scherzi musicali a tre voci (1607); 17. The summer of 1607 and the death of Claudia Cattaneo Monteverdi; 18. The 1608 festivities: Arianna, the prologue for LâIdropica, the Ballo delle ingrate; 19. 1608 1609; 20. The âMass and Vespers of the Blessed Virgin' (1610); 21. 1610 1613: the death of Vincenzo I Gonzaga, Monteverdiâs dismissal from Mantua, his move to Venice; Part III. Venice: 22. Venice; 23. Il sesto libro de madrigali a cinque voci (1614); 24. 1614 1619 25. Concerto: settimo libro de madrigali (1619); 26. 1619 1624; 27. The Combattimento di Tancredi et Clorinda (1624); 28. 1624 1627; 29. Festivities in Parma, 1628; 30. 1628 1632; 31. The Scherzi musicali (1632); 32. 1633 1638; 33. The Madrigali guerrieri, et amorosi ...Libro ottavo (1638); 34. The Selva morale e spirituale (1640 1641); 35. Opera in Venice; 36. Il ritorno di Ulisse in patria (1640); 37. 1641 1642; 38. La coronatione di Poppea (1643); 39. 1643: Monteverdiâs death; 40. The posthumous publications; Notes; Works cited; Index of Monteverdi's works; Index of names.