The purpose of the document is to present a Conductor’s Guide to performing nine concerted madrigals from Book 8 Madrigali Guerrieri et Amorosi by Claudio Monteverdi suitable for choral ensemble. The nine madrigals are Altri canti d’Amor, tenero arciero; Cosi sol d’una chiara fonte viva; Altri canti di Marte e di sua schiera; and Due belli occhi fur l’armi onde traffitta; Hor che’l ciel e la terra e’l vento tace; Ardo, avvampo, mi struggo; Vago augelletto che cantando vai; Dolcissimo uscignolo; and Chi vol haver felice e lieto il core.
The document is divided into four main chapters: Historical and General Information, General Performance Issues, Examination of Individual Madrigals, and Finishing Touches.
Chapter One contains a literature review and biographical information on Monteverdi. Monteverdi’s harmonic language, including seconda prattica and stile concitato is discussed. The nature of Italian Renaissance poetry is presented.
Chapter Two discusses performing issues that all nine madrigals share such as size of vocal ensemble, vocal ranges, and vocal tone. Tempo, meter, and tempo relationships are examined. Use of dissonance, chromaticism, homophony and polyphony, cadences and harmonic language are given. Instrumental accompaniment, particularly the role of the basso continuo and obbligato, is discussed.
Chapter Three examines the individual madrigals. In each madrigal the poem, musical treatment and specific compositional devices are addressed.
Chapter Four provides recommendations for performing and programming the madrigals. The Appendix includes vocal ranges, IPA pronunciations and program notes.