In the summer of 1607, shortly after the first performances of Orfeo, Claudio Monteverdi's brother Giulio Cesare released a printed volume of Claudio's music entitled Scherzi Musicali a tre voci. An odd note in the volume's preface indicates that Claudio brought these pieces, or at least the style of composition, back to Italy from a 1599 trip to Flanders; all the texts, however, are light Italian canzonette, most from the pen of Gabrielo Chiabrera. Damigella, tutta bella, is exemplary of the Shcerzi. Its text of four stanzas (the most common number) treats lightheartedly of an amorous topic; the almost trivial imagery is completely sublimated to the powerful and repetitive textual rhythm.

The musical setting, as in all the pieces of this volume, sets the stanzas in a completely strophic fahsion, in three voices (two upper voices and a bass). The verses are framed by an instrumental Ritornello set for a similar trio texture of two violins and Basso Continuo. Both Ritornello and verse are dominated by the vigorous rhythms of the danced Italian Gagliarda, which alternates a measure of compound triple meter (6/8 time signature) with a hemiola (3/4 time). Another section of the first published preface indicates that the ritornello should be played twice at the outset, and that in the middle verses, the vocal scoring may be shifted for the sake of variety, in keeping with the lighthearted nature of the courtly diversions intended by this music.

Text:

Damigella Tutta bella Versa versa quel bel vino Fa che cada La rugiada Distillata di rubino.

Ho nel seno Rio veneno Che vi sparse Amor profondo, Ma gitarlo E lasciarlo Vo' sommerso in questo fondo.

Damigella Tutta bella Di quel vin tu non mi sazi, Fa che cada La rugiada Distillata da Topazi.

Nova fiamma Più m'infiamma Arde il cor foco novello, Se mia vita Non s'aita A ch'io vengo un Mongibello. -Gabriello Chiabrera

Translation:

Maiden, all-beautiful, pour, O pour out that sweet wine; make fall the dew distilled from rubies.

I have in my breast an evil poison deeply emplaced by Love; but I would cast it out and leave it immersed in these depths.

Maiden, all-beautiful, with that wine you do not satisfy me; make fall that dew distilled from topaz.

This new flame burning me more, may it burn my heart anew; If my life is not consumed, I will count it (my good fortune).

© All Music Guide