Composer

:

Claudio Monteverdi

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Madrigal

Compose Date

:

ca. 1590

Average_duration

:

2:44

"Mentre io miravo fiso de la mia donna, gl'occh' ardenti e belli" is a madrigal composed by Claudio Monteverdi, which is part of his second book of madrigals, published in 1590. The piece is scored for five voices and is one of Monteverdi's most famous and beloved works. The premiere of the piece is not known, but it was likely performed in the courts of Mantua or Venice, where Monteverdi worked as a musician. The madrigal is divided into two sections, each with its own distinct character and mood. The first section begins with a slow, mournful introduction, with the voices singing in homophonic harmony. The text describes the speaker's fixation on his lover's beautiful and fiery eyes, which he cannot resist gazing into. The music is characterized by long, sustained notes and a melancholic melody, which reflects the speaker's longing and desire. The second section is more lively and energetic, with the voices singing in polyphonic harmony. The text describes the speaker's joy and happiness at being with his lover, and the music reflects this with a more upbeat and joyful melody. The voices weave in and out of each other, creating a complex and intricate texture that is typical of Monteverdi's style. Overall, "Mentre io miravo fiso de la mia donna, gl'occh' ardenti e belli" is a beautiful and expressive piece of music that showcases Monteverdi's mastery of the madrigal form. The piece is notable for its emotional depth and complexity, as well as its innovative use of harmony and texture.

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