Concert

Musical tribute to Empress Eleonora Gonzaga

Claudio Monteverdi: Selva morale e spirituale, Venice 1641

Towards the end of his life, Claudio Monteverdi dedicated two of his most important collections of works to members of the Habsburg dynasty: the 8th book of madrigals from
1638 is dedicated to Emperor Ferdinand III, the collection “Selva morale e spirituale” from 1641 to the Empress Dowager Eleonora. Monteverdi cultivated such intensive contacts with the Habsburgs that he was accused in Venice of serving the (Habsburg) eagle more than the (Venetian) lion. Monteverdi had a special relationship with the Empress Dowager Eleonora because she came from the Mantuan Gonzaga dynasty – the “Divino Claudio” was in the service of the Gonzaga family for many years and he knew the future empress from birth. With the “Selva morale”, Monteverdi presented an impressive showcase of his work: He wanted to show his mastery of different styles and brought together works from all his creative periods. In this concert, we present a solemn vesper service as it was held at the imperial court in 1641 – a kind of presentation of the
dedication to the Empress under the direction of the court conductor Antonio Bertali. We combine Monteverdi’s pioneering music with compositions by his contemporaries and chorales from 17th century sources. We bring music of different styles and instrumentations into a liturgical context and convey an impression of the lavish splendour of Venetian-influenced sacred music at the Viennese imperial court.

BONUS: 6.15 pm, pre-concert with students from the class of Prof. Maria Erlacher-Forster at the Tyrolean State Conservatory