Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643)

How to say the name:

‘Monteverdi’ is said like Mont-e-ver-dee. ‘Claudio’ is said like ‘Claw-dee-o’.

Born:

In Cremona, Italy, probably in early May 1567 (he was baptised on the 15th May).

Monteverdi’ grave in Venice

Died:

29th November 1643 in Venice, Italy.

Buried:

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (or just the Church of Frari) in Venice.

Type of Music:

Classical music from the early baroque period and before (called Renaissance).

Some great pieces:
  • Vespero Della Beata Vergine (Vespers of the Blessed Virgin). (See below for a video.)
  • La Favola d’Orfeo (The Legend of Orpheus)—an opera.
  • L’Arianna (Ariadne)—an opera.
  • Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria (The Return of Ulysses to His Country)—an opera.
  • L’incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea)—an opera. (See below for a video.)
  • Several madrigals (songs for a small choir).
Some interesting facts:
  • He was one of the main composers to create the baroque period.
  • He wrote some of the first operas. Monteverdi’s operas are the oldest operas that are performed regularly today. For this reason, Monteverdi could be called the ‘father of opera’.

Here is a video of part of Monteverdi’s Vespero Della Beata Vergine (Vespers of the Blessed Virgin).

Dixit Dominus from Moteverdi’s Vespero Della Beata Vergine

And here is the love duet Pur ti miro (I gaze at you) from Monteverdi’s opera L’incoronazione di Poppea (The Coronation of Poppea). You can’t see the orchestra, but it will be underneath and in front of the stage.

Pur ti miro from Monteverdi’s opera L’incoronazione di Poppea

Picture credits:
  1. Claudio Monteverdi. This is a painting by Bernardo Strozzi from 1640, held in the Gallerie dall’Accademia in Venice (1640). The image is in the public domain. Click here for the source of this image, along with the relevant copyright information.
  2. Monteverdi’s grave in Venice. This photograph was taken by Eman Bonnici. I have obtained permission from Eman to use the image here. Click here for the source of this image.
Video credits:
  1. Vespro Della Beata Vergine – Claudio Monteverdi – ( 1 ). Vespro Della Beata Vergine – Claudio Monteverdi ( 1610 )-
    part 1
    Basilica di San Marco, Venice
    1989 – Live Recording
    The Monteverdi Choir
    The London Oratory Junior Choir
    The English Baroque Soloists
    John Eliot Gardiner.
  2. Pur ti miro – Monteverdi – L’Incoronazione di Poppea. Directed by René Jacobs 1993. Patricia Schumann…Poppea. Richard Croft……Nerone.