Celebrated during his lifetime, Monteverdi disappeared from the repertory for centuries until interest in him gradually revived over the last hundred years. Denis Arnold's contribution to this revival was considerable. Here he pays tribute to Monteverdi's genius and such enduring achievements as the Vespers, other choral compositions, the operas, and the sacred and secular songs. In relating Monteverdi to the musical activity of his time, and in examining his years at the Court of Mantua and in Venice, Denis Arnold reveals a fascinating musician whose works epitomize in many varied ways the musical and cultural issues of his age.

The text and appendices of this edition were revised by Tim Carter, who added a new chapter taking account of recent scholarship.

Revised by: Tim Carter