Kate Molleson explores the life and music of Claudio Monteverdi, following his path from early experiments in Cremona to a career that would reshape European music. Trained in the traditions of Renaissance polyphony, Monteverdi gradually pushed against its limits, developing a more direct and expressive musical language. His years at the Mantuan court brought both opportunity and pressure, as he wrote increasingly bold madrigals and helped to establish opera as a new art form. After a period of upheaval, he rebuilt his career in Venice, adapting his music to new spaces, audiences and expectations as public opera emerged. Across sacred works, madrigals and stage pieces, Monteverdi’s writing reflects a composer responding closely to the demands of his time.

Featuring excerpts from: Scherzi musicali a tre voci: Damigella tutta bella Sacrae cantiunculae Canzonette a tre voci (Nos. 1–3) Sinfonia for two violins and viola da brazzo Vattene pur, crudel L’Orfeo Madrigali amorosi Cruda Amarilli Io mi son giovinetta Vespers of 1610 Cor mio, non mori? L’Orfeo, Act 5 Lætaniæ della Beata Vergine Il sesto libro de madrigali Pianto della Madonna Zefiro torna e di soave accenti Selva morale e spirituale Beatus vir Chiome d’oro, bel tesoro Il combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda Il ritorno d’Ulisse in patria L’incoronazione di Poppea: Pur ti miro

Presented by Kate Molleson Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales

For full track listings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002x7t6.

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z (the same every week)