Composer

:

Claudio Monteverdi

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

ca. 1590

Average_duration

:

2:52

'Questo specchio ti dono, Rosa' is a beautiful and expressive madrigal composed by Claudio Monteverdi. It is part of his second book of madrigals, published in 1590. The piece is written for five voices and is set to a text by Giovanni Battista Guarini. The premiere of 'Questo specchio ti dono, Rosa' is not known, but it is believed to have been performed in the courts of Mantua and Venice, where Monteverdi worked as a musician. The piece is divided into two sections, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first section is slow and contemplative, with a mournful quality. The voices enter one by one, creating a sense of introspection and reflection. The text speaks of a mirror that the speaker gives to his beloved, asking her to look into it and see her own beauty reflected back to her. The music is full of rich harmonies and expressive dissonances, conveying the depth of emotion in the text. The second section is faster and more lively, with a joyful and celebratory character. The voices come together in a lively dance-like rhythm, expressing the joy and happiness of the speaker and his beloved. The text speaks of the beauty of the beloved's eyes, which shine like stars in the night sky. The music is full of energy and vitality, with lively rhythms and playful melodic lines. Overall, 'Questo specchio ti dono, Rosa' is a beautiful and expressive madrigal that showcases Monteverdi's skill as a composer. The piece is full of rich harmonies, expressive dissonances, and lively rhythms, creating a sense of depth and emotion in the text. It is a testament to Monteverdi's ability to capture the essence of human emotion in his music, and remains a beloved piece in the repertoire of early music.

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