Monteverdi: Selva morale e spirituale

About the program

Near the end of Claudio Monteverdi’s life (1567–1643), he published an extensive collection of music for various combinations of singers and instruments, which included Italian madrigals as well as a complete mass and other liturgical works. This “moral and spiritual forest” is a compilation of individual pieces rather than a single, large composition. Most of the musical works were created for services at the cathedral of San Marco in Venice during Monteverdi’s 30 year tenure as maestro. Stylistically, the music encompasses the entirely of Monteverdi’s career, from the “old” style of the Mass setting to the innovations of Monteverdi’s final books of madrigals. Indeed, in many ways the compositions within Selva Morale e Spirituale bridge the transition from the Renaissance to Baroque eras of music.

Joining the Elm City Consort for this performance will be the Vermont-based vocal ensemble, Ampersand, co-led by soprano Madeline Healy and countertenor Tim Parsons. Founded in 2014, the group consists of six core members and specializes in polyphonic music of the sixteenth century.

We are very pleased to present this concert as part of the 2025-26 season of the Bethesda Music Series.  For over 30 years, the Bethesda Music Series has presented 4–5 concerts each season featuring local and international musicians while raising funds for area social service organizations and sharing great music with the people of New Haven. 

Admission is free. Donations will be collected to support Hamden-based nonprofit Haven’s Harvest.

(Header image by Michael Vadon, licensed through CC BY 2.0)