Claudio Monteverdi

Lore & Background

Monteverdi was born in Cremona, where he undertook his first musical studies and compositions. His first published work, a set of motets, appeared in 1582 when he was fifteen, and he described himself as a pupil of Marc'Antonio Ingegneri. He developed his career first at the court of Mantua (c. 1590–1613) and then until his death in the Republic of Venice, where he was maestro di cappella at the basilica of San Marco. His surviving letters give insight into the life of a professional musician in Italy of the period, including problems of income, patronage and politics.

Much of Monteverdi's output, including many stage works, has been lost. His surviving music includes nine books of madrigals, large-scale religious works such as his Vespro della Beata Vergine (Vespers for the Blessed Virgin) of 1610, and three complete operas. His opera L'Orfeo (1607) is the earliest of the genre still widely performed; towards the end of his life he wrote works for Venice, including Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria and L'incoronazione di Poppea. While he worked extensively in the tradition of earlier Renaissance polyphony, he undertook great developments in form and melody, and began to employ the basso continuo technique, distinctive of the Baroque. No stranger to controversy, he defended his sometimes novel techniques as elements of a seconda pratica, contrasting with the more orthodox earlier style which he termed the prima pratica.

Reader's Guide

Monteverdi is considered a crucial transitional figure between the Renaissance and Baroque periods. His work in both secular and sacred music, especially his development of opera, marks a significant shift in musical history. He employed the basso continuo technique, distinctive of the Baroque, while also working extensively in earlier Renaissance polyphony. His defense of the seconda pratica against the prima pratica sparked a notable musical controversy. Largely forgotten during the eighteenth and much of the nineteenth centuries, his works enjoyed a rediscovery around the beginning of the twentieth century. He is now established both as a significant influence in European musical history and as a composer whose works are regularly performed and recorded. His surviving letters provide valuable insight into the life of a professional musician in Italy of the period, including problems of income, patronage and politics.

Did You Know?

• Monteverdi's first published work, Sacrae cantiunculae, was issued in 1582 when he was only fifteen.
• His opera L'Orfeo (1607) is the earliest of the genre still widely performed.
• He defended his novel techniques as elements of a seconda pratica, contrasting with the prima pratica.
• Much of his output, including many stage works, has been lost.