Centre Stage
Kate Molleson explores Monteverdi’s breakthrough opera L’Orfeo and the personal and professional pressures surrounding its creation.
Kate Molleson focuses on Monteverdi at a turning point in his career, as he secures a leading role at the Mantuan court and begins writing for the stage. Alongside this creative breakthrough comes a more difficult period in his personal life, with financial strain, overwork and illness. Set within the demands of court life, Monteverdi’s artistic ambition and lived experience converge.
Io mi son giovinetta
Concerto Italiano
Rinaldo Alessandrini, director
Vespers of 1610 – excerpts
The Sixteen
Harry Christophers, conductor
Cor mio, non mori?
Delitiae Musicae
Marco Longhini, director
L’Orfeo – Act 5 (extract)
John Mark Ainsley, tenor (Orfeo)
Catherine Bott, soprano (La Musica)
Julia Gooding, soprano (Euridice)
Michael George, bass (Plutone)
Andrew King, tenor (Apollo)
Simon Grant, bass (Caronte)
Lætaniæ della Beata Vergine
Odhecaton
Paolo Da Col, director
Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and West
Last on
Music Played
![]()
Claudio Monteverdi
Su su, su che'l giorno e fore
Performer: Rinaldo Alessandrini. Ensemble: Concerto Italiano.- NAIVE : OP7366.
- NAIVE.
- 8.
![]()
Claudio Monteverdi
Vespro della Beata Vergine (excerpt)
Choir: The Sixteen. Conductor: Harry Christophers.- CORO : COR-16126.
- CORO.
- 1.
![]()
Claudio Monteverdi
Il Ballo delle ingrate
Ensemble: Clematis Ensemble. Singer: Zachary Wilder.- Ricercar : RIC 377.
- Ricercar.
- 15.
![]()
Claudio Monteverdi
Cor mio, non mori?
Ensemble: Delitiæ Musicæ. Conductor: Marco Longhini.- NAXOS.
![]()
Claudio Monteverdi
L' Orfeo, Act 5
Singer: John Mark Ainsley. Singer: Catherine Bott. Singer: Julia Gooding. Singer: Michael George. Singer: Andrew King. Singer: Simon Grant. Ensemble: New London Consort. Director: Philip Pickett.- DECCA : 467213.
- DECCA.
- 16.
![]()
Claudio Monteverdi
Laetaniae della Beata Vergine
Ensemble: Cologne Odhecaton Early Music Ensemble. Director: Paolo Da Col.- ARCANA : A447.
- ARCANA.
- 10.
Broadcast
- Wednesday16:00BBC Radio 3








