Main content

The Courtless Musician

Kate Molleson explores Monteverdi’s beginnings in Cremona, with early publications and musical training.

Kate Molleson begins with Monteverdi’s early years in Cremona, where he emerged as a precocious and ambitious young composer. The programme traces his first publications, from sacred music to madrigals, and the training that grounded him in the traditions of Renaissance polyphony. As his writing grows bolder and he learns to break the rules, Monteverdi experiments with madrigals.

Scherzi musicali a tre voci – Damigella tutta bella
Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor
Nuria Rial, soprano
Jan van Elsacker, tenor
Cyril Auvity, tenor
Nicolas Achten, baritone
João Fernandes, bass
³¢â€™A°ù±è±ð²µ²µ¾±²¹³Ù²¹
Christina Pluhar, director

Sacrae cantiunculae (excerpts)
Györ Girls’ Choir
Jeunesses Musicales Chorus

Il primo libro de madrigali (Nos. 1-6)
Consort of Musicke
Anthony Rooley, director

Canzonette a tre voci (Nos. 1-3)
Armoniosoincanto
Franco Radicchia, director

Madrigals, Book 2 (excerpts)
Consort of Musicke
Anthony Rooley, director

Produced by Ellie Ajao for 91¸£ÀûÉç Audio Wales and West

28 days left to listen

59 minutes

Last on

Yesterday 16:00

Music Played

  • Claudio Monteverdi

    Damigella tutta bella, SV. 235

    Ensemble: ³¢â€™A°ù±è±ð²µ²µ¾±²¹³Ù²¹. Singer: Núria Rial. Singer: Philippe Jaroussky. Singer: Jan Van Elsacker. Singer: Cyril Auvity. Singer: Nicolas Achten. Singer: João Fernandes. Director: Christina Pluhar.
    • Virgin Classics: 5099923614024.
    • Virgin Classics.
    • 4.
  • Claudio Monteverdi

    Sacrae cantiunculae, Book 1 (selection)

    Performer: Gyor Girls' Chorus. Conductor: Miklós Szabó.
    • HUNGAROTON : HCD-12921.
    • HUNGAROTON.
  • Claudio Monteverdi

    Madrigals, Book 1 (selection)

    Performer: The Consort of Musicke. Director: Anthony Rooley.
    • VIRGIN : VC-545143-2.
    • VIRGIN.
    • 1.
  • Claudio Monteverdi

    Canzonette a tre voci (Nos. 1-3)

    Choir: Gruppo Vocale Armoniosoincanto. Director: Franco Radicchia.
    • BRILLIANT CLASSICS : 95348.
    • BRILLIANT CLASSICS.
    • 1.
  • Claudio Monteverdi

    Madrigals, Books 2 (selection)

    Performer: The Consort of Musicke. Performer: Anthony Rooley. Director: Anthony Rooley.
    • VIRGIN : vc-759282 2.
    • VIRGIN.
    • 19.

Broadcast

  • Yesterday 16:00

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

Beethoven Unleashed – the box set

The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

What was really wrong with Beethoven?

Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems

Composers A to Z

Composers A to Z

Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week

The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod’s best stories from the last 20 years

Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem

What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?

A man out of time – why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...

The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.

Composer Help Page

Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.