Album

Claudio Monteverdi's late works, like those of Beethoven, contain singular mixtures of simplicity and complexity. Book Eight of his madrigals are about love and war, themes as elemental as they come. Yet consider the madrigal Ogni amante è guerrier (Every Lover is a Warrior, track 6 on the first CD of this set), with its text by Ottavio Rinuccini that subtly conflates the two ideas. Monteverdi's setting, for a low voice, is moody, involved, and philosophical. The Italian early Baroque specialist group La Venexiana plays up these traits with a slow tempo that stretches the work out to nearly a 15-minute length. The later Monteverdi madrigals, for solo voice or voices and the continuo, lend themselves to a variety of interpretations, and there are several good recordings despite the demands of the music. La Venexiana's readings are restrained, with eyes cast backward toward the intellectual qualities of the Renaissance madrigal. The churning instrumental work and vocal fireworks heard in many Monteverdi performances are almost completely absent. Tempos are slow throughout, and this set is the better part of an hour longer than the René Jacobs recording. If pieces like the famed Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorind seem to lack the proper level of intensity, the lovingly detailed Lamento della Ninfa (CD 3, track 3) and many of the more arcane pieces have an intense, hypnotic effect. Perhaps the best way to think about this recording is to imagine it as chamber-sized and madrigal-esque, while those by Jacobs and Rinaldo Alessandrini and Jacobs are garden-sized and operatic. Monteverdi works either way, but this is the set to have if you are deeply into Monteverdi and want to contemplate the mysteries of his career at two in the morning.

© James Manheim, Rovi

CD 1 of 3
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Altri canti d'Amor, dramatic madrigal for 6 voices and strings, SV146...1.Sinfonia. Altri canti d'Amor Work 10:50 Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
1	1a.Sinfonia	0:46			$0.99
2	1b.Altri canti d'Amor	10:04			$1.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Hor ch'el ciel e la terra, madrigal for 6 voices and 2 violins, SV147 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
3	Hor ch'el ciel e la terra, madrigal for 6 voices and 2 violins, SV147	10:11			$1.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Gira il nemico insidioso (a3), SV148 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
4	Gira il nemico insidioso (a3), SV148	5:52			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Se vittorie si belle, SV149 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
5	Se vittorie si belle, SV149	3:01			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Ogni amante è guerrier, SV151 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
6	Ogni amante è guerrier, SV151	14:50			$2.49
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda, dramatic cantata, SV153 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
7	Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda, dramatic cantata, SV153	25:14			$3.99
CD 2 of 3
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Ardo, avvampo, mi struggo, for 8 voices and 2 violins, SV152 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
1	Ardo, avvampo, mi struggo, for 8 voices and 2 violins, SV152	4:31			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Armato il cor d'adamantina fede, for 2 tenors, SV150 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
2	Armato il cor d'adamantina fede, for 2 tenors, SV150	2:53			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Movete al mio bel suon le piante snelle, semi-dramatic ballet for tenor and 2 violins, SV154 Work 10:28 Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
3	1.Volgendo il ciel	5:40			$0.99
4	2.Movete al mio bel suon	4:48			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Altri canti di Marte, for 6 voices and 2 violins, SV155 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
5	Altri canti di Marte, for 6 voices and 2 violins, SV155	9:03			$1.49
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Vago augelletto che cantando vai Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
6	Vago augelletto che cantando vai	5:20			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Mentre vaga Angioletta, madrigal for 2 tenors and continuo, SV157 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
7	Mentre vaga Angioletta, madrigal for 2 tenors and continuo, SV157	10:12			$1.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Ardo e scoprir, ahi lasso, for 2 tenors, SV158 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
8	Ardo e scoprir, ahi lasso, for 2 tenors, SV158	4:06			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Dolcissimo uscignolo (a5), SV161 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
9	Dolcissimo uscignolo (a5), SV161	3:28			$0.99
CD 3 of 3
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Chi vol haver felice e lieto il core (a5), SV162 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
1	Chi vol haver felice e lieto il core (a5), SV162	2:24			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer O sia tranquillo il mare, SV159 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
2	O sia tranquillo il mare, SV159	4:22			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Lamento della Ninfa, SV163 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
3	Lamento della Ninfa, SV163	8:35			$1.49
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Ninfa che scalza il piede, for solo voice, SV160 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
4	Ninfa che scalza il piede, for solo voice, SV160	5:32			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Perchè t'en fuggi, o Fillide?, SV164 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
5	Perchè t'en fuggi, o Fillide?, SV164	5:49			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Non partir, ritrosetta, SV165 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
6	Non partir, ritrosetta, SV165	4:11			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Su, su, su, pastorelli vezzosi, SV166 Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
7	Su, su, su, pastorelli vezzosi, SV166	2:44			$0.99
Claudio Monteverdi Composer Il ballo delle ingrate Work Roberta Mameli Soprano, Nadia Ragni Soprano, Giovanni Cantarini Tenor, Claudio Cavina Countertenor, Sandro Naglia Tenor, Giuseppe Maletto Tenor, Gabriele Palomba Theorbo, Marta Graziolino Harp, Alena Dantcheva Soprano, Fabio Bonizzoni Harpsichord, Mario Cecchetti Tenor, La Venexiana Chorus/Choir, Emanuela Galli Soprano, Matteo Bellotto Bass, Daniele Carnovich Bass
8	Il ballo delle ingrate	39:46			$4.99