may 1, 1607 - L'Orfeo

Description:

sometimes called La favola d'Orfeo, is a late Renaissance/early Baroque favola in musica, or opera, by Claudio Monteverdi, with a libretto by Alessandro Striggio. It is based on the Greek legend of Orpheus, and tells the story of his descent to Hades and his fruitless attempt to bring his dead bride Eurydice back to the living world.

Monteverdi’s first favola in musica was L’Orfeo.
1. By the time of L’Orfeo, Monteverdi had established himself as a madrigalist and was
seen as the primary composer associated with seconda pratica.
2. When his brother, Giulio Cesare, defended Claudio against Artusi’s condemnations, he
claimed that the composer was reaching back to Plato, via de Rore. By claiming a descent from Plato, he trumped those who favored Ars perfecta with humanism.

Outline of analysis:
1. Instrumental toccata lets the audience know it is time to begin.
2. La Musica sings a five-verse aria (with instrumental ritornello) that demonstrates the
power of music.
3. Act II
a. Orpheus sings happily of his love for Eurydice.
b. The Messenger (a nymph) arrives and announces Eurydice’s death. The happy
song-and-dance music is replaced by stile rappresentativo. Only continuo instruments play, which suggests that those on stage do not hear the instruments—it is “unheard.”
c. Analysis of the music demonstrates the tensions created by Monteverdi and
their purpose in the drama.
4. The last two acts take place in the underworld.

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