Claudio Monteverdi

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643)

Claudio Monteverdi is one the most important figures in the history of Music. Born in Cremona, he initially worked as a court musician in Mantua before being appointed to the prestigious position of maestro di capella at San Marco in Venice. Whilst in Venice, he had some of the finest musicians of the day at his disposal and as such, much it is very virtuosic. The breadth of musical styles on display in his vocal compositions is huge, ranging from the Renaissance polyphonic tradition to the most modern basso continuo technique that would dominate music of the Baroque era. However, the expressivity of his vocal music – both scared and secular – is arguably his greatest legacy.