Jordi Savall returns with a tribute to Monteverdi

For several decades Montreal audiences have loved gambist Jordi Savall for his curiosity, his exceptional musicality and his unique talent for connecting people, places and eras through a compelling repertoire.

Local promoter Traquen’Art will again welcome Jordi Savall to perform a tribute program titled: Claudio Monteverdi Revolution, The Tears and the Fire of the Muses, with two performances. The North American premiere will be in Quebec City at the Palais Montcalm on Sunday, October 6 at 4pm; and at the Maison symphonique de Montréal, Place des Arts, on Monday, October 7 at 7:30pm

Jordi Savall

In this program, the multi-talented maestro and virtuoso of the viola explores the influence of Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1626); a visionary composer, opera pioneer, and brilliant music theorist, through his sacred and secular works. The program will also include works of John Dowland (1563-1626), Anthony Holborne (1545-1602), Samuel Scheidt (1587-1654) Jacomo de Garzanis(ca. 1520-1575/1579). This season also marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of Savall’s prestigious early music ensemble, Hespèrion XXI, which is joined here by the voices of La Capella Reial de Catalunya.

The Tears and the Fire of the Muses is a deep and emotional exploration of the music of Monteverdi and his contemporaries, directed by the Jordi Savall and his ensemble, Hespèrion XXI. Known for his unique capacity to breathe new life into early music, Savall, accompanied by soloists from La Capella Reial de Catalunya, will immerse audiences in the rich, complex world of the early Baroque era.

The concert isn’t limited to musical works; he takes us on a journey through history. The title, The Tears and the Fire of the Muses, suggests a duality between sweet melancholy and fiery passion—two themes that are omnipresent in the music of Monteverdi. 

Through vocal and instrumental pieces, Savall and his musicians capture the essence of Monteverdi’s compositions, while linking them with those of his contemporaries. In this way, the program reveals the richness and diversity of Baroque music, highlighting Monteverdi’s innovations in musical texture, dramatic expression and mastery of counterpoint.

The Tears and the Fire of the Muses is an immersive experience in celebration of the musical legacy of Monteverdi that offers a moment of contemplation and timeless beauty. This concert, directed by Jordi Savall, promises to be a vibrant tribute to one of the most creative periods in the history of music.

Monteverdi: The revolutionary legacy as seen by Jordi Savall

For Jordi Savall, Claudio Monteverdi is a key revolutionary figure in the history of music. Considered the father of opera and a pioneer in the transition from Renaissance to Baroque, Monteverdi is much more than just a brilliant composer in Savall’s eyes. He sees him as a bold innovator who transformed the expression of emotions through music.

Monteverdi fused the art of the madrigal with the new musical forms of his time, creating works of emotional depth and complexity that continue to inspire generations. Savall considers Monteverdi a model of expressiveness and technical mastery, combining the richness of Renaissance counterpoint with the dramatic expression of the Baroque period.

As both performer and conductor, Savall delivers on this vision, capturing the intensity and sensitivity of Monteverdi’s works. For Savall, Monteverdi symbolizes the transition to music in which passionate expression takes centre stage—a legacy he perpetuates with commitment.

Tickets are now on sale. Quebec City, Palais Montcalm, October 6 at 4 pm
995, place d’Youville. www.palaismontcalm.ca. 418-641-6040, or 1-877-641-6040.

Montréal – Maison symphonique, October 7 at 7:30pm. www.placedesarts.com  Box Office: 514 842-2112.