VESPRO PER L’IMPERATRICE 1641
Musical Tribute to Empress Eleonora Gonzaga
Claudio Monteverdi: Selva morale e spirituale, Venice 1641With the Ensemble der Innsbrucker Hofmusik, direction: Marian Polin
Towards the end of his life, Claudio Monteverdi dedicated two of his most important collections of works to members of the House of Habsburg: The 8th book of madrigals from 1638 is dedicated to Emperor Ferdinand III, and the collection "Selva morale e spirituale" from 1641 to the Dowager Empress Eleonora. Monteverdi maintained such intensive contacts with the Habsburgs that he was accused in Venice of serving the (Habsburg) eagle more than the (Venetian) lion. Monteverdi had a special relationship with the Dowager Empress Eleonora because she came from the Mantuan princely House of Gonzaga – the "Divino Claudio" was in the service of the Gonzaga family for many years and knew the future empress from birth. With "Selva morale," Monteverdi presented an impressive retrospective of his works: He wanted to demonstrate his masterful mastery of various styles and combined works from all his creative periods. In this concert, we present a solemn vespers service as it was held at the Imperial Court in 1641 – a kind of presentation of the dedicatory work for the Empress under the direction of Court Kapellmeister Antonio Bertali. We combine pioneering music by Monteverdi with compositions by his contemporaries and chorales from 17th-century sources. We bring music of various styles and ensembles into a liturgical context and convey an impression of the lavish splendor of Venetian-influenced sacred music at the Viennese Imperial Court.
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BONUS: 6.15 p.m., Pre-concert