5028 – Prelude from Vespers

Claudio Monteverdi

Arranged by Roger Harvey

Difficulty: medium

Price: £20.00

Programme notes:

Opera was very young when Monteverdi wrote Orfeo in 1607. The first opera, Euridice, by Peri and Caccini was produced in 1600 and Orfeo was only the sixth in the form. The music which acted as an overture to the entertainment was recycled in this form by Monteverdi as the opening movement of his Vespers of 1610.

Performance notes:

Play lightly throughout. The lower parts in particular should not be too sustained in tone. In the 6/4 sections play in a dance-like, rhythmic manner.