Cor de Cambra del Palau, Europa Galante & Biondi: Palau de la Música Catalana

About the Event

Experience classical music like never before in this astonishing performance of masterworks by Monteverdi at Barcelona's remarkable Palau de la Música Catalana.

 Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria by Monteverdi, together with L'Orfeo, represents the history of the entire operatic genre. Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria is based on the final moments of Homer's Odyssey. Written for the Venice Carnival in 1640, the opera recounts with dramatic intensity the Homeric legend of gods intertwined by love, friendship, envy, hatred, and human frailty, ending with a moralizing finale. This opera takes a step toward the future consolidation of bel canto, with the technique known as the arioso, the precursor of the aria, appearing in lighter dramatic situations that make use of vocal virtuosity and contrast with recitative singing.
Versatile tenor Mark Padmore takes on the role of Ulysses, having been heard in such demanding and varied roles and scores as the Evangelist in the St. Matthew Passion and the despairing voice in Schubert's Winterreise, to name a few.
Partnering with Sara Mingardo, the mezzo‐soprano of the moment, and performing alongside one of classical music's leading and most original ensembles, Europa Galante, in this concert version of Il ritorno d'Ulisse in patria promises a blend of unbeatable ingredients.

Claudio Monteverdi

Monteverdi’s unique artistic legacy marks the transition of musical traditions from Renaissance to Baroque. Born in 1567 in Cremona, Italy, Claudio Monteverdi showed his talent at an early age. Already in 1582 his first work, a set of motets, was published in Venice. By 1590 he became a famous composer in Italy and a musician to the court of Duke Vincenzo I Gonzaga of Mantua where he made acquaintances with prominent painters, composers and writers of the time. In 1607 his first opera, L’Orpheo, was staged in Mantua and was a sweeping success. Even today this passionate and expressive opera is frequently performed worldwide. The following year his second opera L’Arianna followed, again receiving public acclaim. Unfortunately, only a piece from this opera L'Arianna has survived until present day.
After the death of Duke Vincenzo, Monteverdi did not wish to serve in the court anymore and moved to Venice where he was appointed as a maestro di cappella at San Marco Cathedral. There he managed the choir and composed sacred music. In the 1630’s Monteverdi’s world was severely disturbed by the outbreak of the plague in Venice leading to more than 45000 casualties. However, 1637 is marked as a revival both of the city and the composer’s work: that year saw the opening of the magnificent opera house of San Cassiano, for which Monteverdi composed a few successful operas up until his death in 1643.