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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

27 days left to listen

59 minutes

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

  • Wednesday16:00

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