Composer

:

Claudio Monteverdi

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Publication Date

:

1607

Average_duration

:

3:10

Maria, quid ploras? SV 97/3.k is a sacred vocal work composed by Claudio Monteverdi. It is a part of his collection of sacred music, Selva morale e spirituale, which was published in 1640. The work is a setting of the Latin text of the Gospel of John, depicting the moment when Mary Magdalene encounters the risen Christ in the garden after his crucifixion. The work is scored for five voices (SSATB) and basso continuo. It is divided into two movements, with the first movement being a recitative and the second movement being an aria. The recitative begins with the words "Maria, quid ploras?" ("Mary, why are you weeping?"), which are spoken by the angel who appears to Mary Magdalene in the garden. The music is characterized by its expressive and dramatic nature, with the vocal lines conveying the emotional turmoil of Mary Magdalene as she realizes that the man she thought was dead is now alive. The second movement, the aria, begins with the words "Noli flere, Maria" ("Do not weep, Mary"), which are spoken by Christ himself. The music is more lyrical and contemplative than the recitative, with the vocal lines weaving in and out of each other in a complex and intricate manner. The basso continuo provides a steady foundation for the vocal lines, with the harmonies shifting subtly to reflect the changing emotions of the text. Overall, Maria, quid ploras? SV 97/3.k is a powerful and moving work that showcases Monteverdi's skill as a composer of sacred music. Its expressive and dramatic nature, combined with its intricate and complex musical structure, make it a masterpiece of the Baroque era.

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