Flexi Quintet – Monteverdi, 6th Book of Madrigals (1614) – 09. Ohimè il bel viso

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Description

As part of my continuing project to transcribe Monteverdi’s
madrigals onto winds, here is the 6th book. In this book we see a much
greater development towards dramatic representation. In a way, this book
is divisible into two Scenes with a number of single items in between.
The vocal lines are all much more complex and we can also see the
beginnings of monodic writing appear in the semi-recit sections of some
of the songs.

Also clearly developing are delineations of the voices into soloists
and chorus. Several songs in this book are almost akin to arias, with
clear soloistic writing for the higher voices (Cantus/Tenor).

The ninth song (counting the 6 parts of Sestina as one item) is
“Ohime il bel viso” – “Alas! The pretty face” sees our young man trying
to wheedle an encounter out of his lover. Complaining how much her
beauty makes him mad with passion.

As with all things madrigalian, the lyrics are rife with double
entendres. Monteverdi uses some very close dissonances to describe death
and release.

Additional information

Ensemble Type

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Flexible Instrumentation

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Genre

Medieval and Renaissance

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