L'Orfeo, SV 318 (Claudio Monteverdi)

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Complete opera

• (Posted 2016-06-21)  CPDL #40106:      Score information: A4, 109 pages, 1.18 MB   

First instrument:   Score information: A4, 28 pages, 274 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Second instrument:   Score information: A4, 28 pages, 274 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Third instrument, treble clef:   Score information: A4, 24 pages, 246 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Third instrument, alto clef:   Score information: A4, 24 pages, 252 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Fourth instrument, octaviated treble clef:   Score information: A4, 25 pages, 242 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Fourth instrument, tenor clef:   Score information: A4, 24 pages, 239 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Fifth instrument, octaviated treble clef:   Score information: A4, 25 pages, 252 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Fifth instrument, tenor clef:   Score information: A4, 24 pages, 242 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Sixth instrument:   Score information: A4, 24 pages, 240 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Seventh instrument:   Score information: A4, 24 pages, 243 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Basso Continuo (one system):   Score information: A4, 40 pages, 351 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Basso Continuo (two systems):   Score information: A4, 52 pages, 408 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Harp:   Score information: A4, 54 pages, 441 kB   Copyright: CPDL

Editorial report:  

Editor: Peter Rottländer (submitted 2016-06-21).   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transcribed from 1609 edition, compared to 1615 reprint. Please read the editorial report before asking questions.

• (Posted 2008-06-15)  CPDL #17022:        (Finale 2006)

Editor: Sabine Cassola (submitted 2008-06-15).   Score information: A4, 81 pages, 1.61 MB   Copyright: CPDL

Edition notes: Transcribed from edition of 1609.

Excerpts

Toccata – Prologue – Act One

• (Posted 2006-04-08)  CPDL #11421:   

Editor: Philip Legge (submitted 2006-04-08).   Score information: A4, 25 pages, 270 kB   Copyright: © 2006 Philip Legge

Edition notes: Score currently includes only: Toccata – Prologue – Act One. Transcribed from the 1615 reprint.

Act Three

• (Posted 2012-09-01)  CPDL #27065:   

Editor: Marcel Gautreau (submitted 2012-08-31).   Score information: Letter, 11 pages, 3.65 MB   Copyright: CC BY NC SA

Edition notes: Editorial additions and alternatives in light grey type; includes end notes. Transcribed from Venice: Ricciardo Amadino, 1615. Second printing from new engraving; originally published 1609.

General Information

Title: L'Orfeo, SV 318
Original title: L'Orfeo, Favola in Musica da Claudio Monteverdi rappresentata in Mantova l'anno 1607. - Orfeo, fable set to music (=opera) by Claudio Monteverdi, presented in Mantua in 1607.
Composer: Claudio Monteverdi

Number of voices: 5vv   Voicing: SSATB, and solos
Solo rôles:

Prologue

La Musica (Music), soprano

Act 1

Orfeo, tenor

Euridice, soprano

Ninfa (A nymph), soprano

Pastori (Shepherds), soprano, alto, 2 tenors, bass

Genre: Secular, Opera

Language: Italian
Instruments: Orchestra: flute, cornetti, clarino, trombe, trombones, strings, chitarroni, double harp, regal, two organs

First published: 1609 by Ricciardo Amadino, Venice
Reprinted 1615. Description: While there were semi-successful operatic experiments in Florence in the 1590s, Monteverdi's Orfeo was the first truly viable opera, first produced to great acclaim in February of 1607 in Mantua and the full score published soon after in Venice by Monteverdi's usual firm Amadino. The libretto was written by Alessandro Striggio (II), son of the Florentine composer Alessandro Striggio.

External websites:

• Free choir training aids for this work are available at Choralia.
• Complete text of the work

Original text and translations

Act Three

Italian text Possente Spirto e formidabil nume, senza cui far passaggio a l'altra riva alma da corpo sciolta in van presume. Non viv'io, no, che poi di vita è priva mia cara sposa, il cor non è più meco, e senza cor com'esser può ch'io viva? A lei volt'ho 'l camin per l'aer cieco, a l'Inferno non già, ch'ovunque stassi tanta bellezza il paradiso ha seco. Orfeo son io che d'Euridice i passi segue per queste tenebrose arene, ove già mai per uom mortal non vassi. O de le luci mie luci serene s'un vostro sguardo può tornarmi in vita, Ahi, chi nega il conforto a le mie pene ? Sol tu, nobile dio puoi darmi aita, nè temer dei, ché sopra un'aurea Cetra Sol di corde soavi armo le dita contra cui rigida alma invan s'impetra.

Dutch translation Machtige geest en grote godheid zonder wie de tocht naar de overkant onmogelijk is voor de zielen die het lichaam hebben verlaten. Ik leef niet meer, neen, nu mijn geliefde van het leven beroofd is, mijn hart is niet meer bij mij en hoe zou ik zonder hart nog kunnen leven? Naar haar heb ik mijn weg gericht door de zwarte lucht niet naar de hel, want overal waar zoveel schoonheid is, is het paradijs nabij. Ik ben Orfeus, die de stappen van Euridice volgt door deze donkere vlakte, waar nog nooit een sterveling is voorbij gegaan. Troostend licht dat mij toeschijnt, als één enkele blik van u mij het leven kan terugschenken, ah, wie weigert troost aan mijn smart? Alleen gij, nobele god, kunt mij helpen, vrees niet, want op een gouden citer zijn het slechts de zachte snaren, betokkeld als een wapen tegen dewelke de hardvochtige zielen zich tevergeefs verzetten.