Monteverdi Reloaded
Fedra Ensemble

Fedra Ensemble

Simona Severini, voice and guitar
Daniele Richiedei, violin and arrangements
Giulio Corini, double bass (soloist)

Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643)

Maledetto sia l’aspetto
Oblivion Soave
Si dolce il tormento
Eri già tutta mia
Il Lamento della Ninfa

30’ | Admission with museum ticket

In the Fruttiere of Palazzo Te, Simona Severini (voice and guitar), Daniele Richiedei (violin and arrangements), and Giulio Corini (solo double bass) do not seek to “update” Monteverdi through a contemporary reinterpretation, but rather to reveal his intrinsic modernity, which remains strikingly alive more than four centuries later.

Pieces such as Lamento della Ninfa, Sì dolce è ’l tormento, and Oblivion soave, originally conceived for voice and basso continuo, acquire in these new arrangements a renewed expressive density and a more pronounced sonic physicality, without losing any of their poetic essence: amorous torment, the tension of desire, and the search for an intimate sense of calm.

Particularly significant is the choice of Giulio Corini’s solo double bass: while retaining the harmonic foundation of the writing, the instrument emerges as an autonomous voice and a tangible presence, capable of establishing an intense dialogue with the voice and violin. A bold choice, resulting in a compelling and finely balanced musical equilibrium.

Text by Federica Mastantuono