Selva morale e spirituale (1641)
highlights
Collegium Vocale Gent
Philippe Herreweghe, musical direction
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- 01/08/2025 | 20:00Selva morale Asciano, IT
Selva morale
Claudio Monteverdi’s Selva morale e spirituale, published in 1641 in Venice, is a remarkable anthology of his sacred music from the later period of his life. At that time, Monteverdi had already served for over two decades as maestro di cappella at the Basilica of San Marco, one of Europe’s most important musical centers. From this prestigious position, he composed both for the liturgy and for special occasions, resulting in an exceptionally diverse collection.
The anthology reflects the full richness of Monteverdi’s expressive style: from intimate a cappella settings to festive works with instrumental accompaniment. In this selection, the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque comes to the fore with striking clarity—emotion, textual expression, and theatrical flair are masterfully employed in the service of the spiritual.