Madrigals of Love & War

Friday, November 8, 2024 at 7:30PM
Zilkha Hall, The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (800 Bagby St, Google Maps)

Claudio Monteverdi’s Madrigals of Love and War transformed a venerable genre—the Renaissance part song—into dramatic scenes that rival the flamboyant art of Caravaggio or Bernini. By updating an old musical form, Monteverdi created a repertoire that is both timeless and singular: few madrigals from any age hold a candle to these masterworks for multiple voices and instruments.

Featured artists:
Erica Schuller, soprano & dramaturg
underwritten by Mr. Francis & Flora Choy
Amia Langer, soprano
underwritten by Dr. William H. & Teresa C. Reading
Michael Skarke, countertenor
underwritten by Anonymous
Steven Brennfleck, tenor
underwritten by Wil McCorquodale & Mark Hitt
Thomas O'Neill, tenor
underwritten by Jeanie Flowers
Enrico Lagasca, bass-baritone
underwritten by James Cowan & William Taylor

Run time: Approximately 1.5 hours, including intermission

Explore the full 2024/25 season here.

The concert has passed. Watch the high-quality recording by purchasing a digital replay pass or digital subscription to the full 24/25 season!

From Artistic Director Matthew Dirst’s program notes: Hor ch’el ciel e la terra begins with a whisper, with “heaven, earth, and wind [all] silent,” only to burst forth into anguished song as the poet “wakes, thinks, burns, and weeps” with the memory of the beloved.

This Ars Lyrica recording is from 2012! Twelve years later, we are thrilled to bring back this beautiful madrigal to the Zilkha Hall stage (and of course with higher quality livestream for our digital viewers).

"Lidia, spina del mio core" is another madrigal by Monteverdi, performed by Ars Lyrica Houston in 2019. The title means "Lidia, spine of my heart," reflecting themes of love and longing.

While this particular madrigal won’t be performed on November 8, we include it to give a sense of Monteverdi’s innovative use of expressive melody and harmony.