Event

Words left unspoken

One of the interesting ironies of music history is that Claudio Monteverdi, one of the most prolific composers of early Baroque vocal music, began his career at the Gonzaga court as a suonatore di vivuola (probably a performer of both the viola da gamba as well as instruments of the violin family). To add to this irony, Monteverdi never published a purely instrumental piece (the famous Sonata sopra Sancta Maria from the 1610 Vespers being the closest he ever got). However, to know that Monteverdi was a string player offers new perspectives on his vocal music, which often betray the influence of instrumental forms and compositional style.

This program will examine the instrumental Monteverdi by performing Monteverdis vocal works on instruments, and by juxtaposing these works with instrumental compositions by his contemporaries. A five-part string consort will sing Monteverdis madrigals through their bows, and vocal duets will be transformed into virtuosic instrumental showcases. Tesserae will bring words to life without a singer in sight!