Guarini's 'Il pastor fido' and the Madrigal: Voicing the Pastoral in Late Renaissance Italy

Battista Guarinis pastoral tragicomedy Il pastor fido (1589) was transformed through numerous musical settings by composers of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, exploring what happens when a lovers lament is transplanted from the theatrical stage to the courtly chamber. Seth Coluzzi's book examines how the text became the center of a lasting and prolific music tradition, using a new integrative system of musical-textual analysis.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 448 pages
Publication date: 19 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Battista Guarinis pastoral tragicomedy Il pastor fido (1589) embarked on its journey as a play, but it swiftly underwent a remarkable transformation through the creative interpretations of numerous prominent composers of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. This captivating book delves into the intriguing consequences when a lover's lament is transplanted from the theatrical stage to the courtly chamber, transitioning from spoken words to melodic expressions, and evolving from a solitary speaking character to an ensemble of singers. By exploring the diverse lives of this work, this book sheds new light on the rich tapestry of early modern literary and musical culture.

From the initial stages in manuscripts, private readings, and aborted stage productions in the 1580s and 1590s, through the gradual decline of Pastor fido madrigals in the 1640s, this book examines the intricate journey of this widely read yet controversial text to become the focal point of a enduring and prolific musical tradition. Employing a novel integrative system of musical-textual analysis rooted in sixteenth-century theory, Seth Coluzzi showcases how composers responded not only to the sentiments, imagery, and form of the plays speeches but also to the subtler nuances of Guarinis verse. By viewing the musical history of Guarinis work as an integral component of its roles in the domains of theater, literature, and criticism, this book offers a fresh perspective on the late Italian madrigal, the play, and early modern patronage and readership across a diverse geographical and temporal framework.

Weight: 700g
Dimension: 235 x 158 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032423852