Pieces › Claudio Monteverdi

Anima Dolorosa, Che Vivendo

Fourth Book of Madrigals · No. 17

Claudio Monteverdi · 1603 · D major · 68 bars · 100 chords analysed

The Fourth Book (1603) opens with “Ah, dolente partita”, a lovers' farewell from Guarini's play Il pastor fido. Monteverdi sets the text so closely that sighs, pauses and sharp dissonances follow the meaning of each line.

Keys visited: D major, C major, D minor, F major, G major, A minor.