Natale Monferrato

Natale Monferrato (* around 1603 in Venice, † April 23, 1685 ) was an Italian organist, composer and director of music at St. Mark's Basilica.

Life

Natale Monferrato was a pupil of Giovanni Rovettas in organ playing and counterpoint teaching. After the death of the organist Giovanni Pietro Berti (c. 1590-1638 ) 1639 Monferrato Francesco Cavalli lost the competition, favoring to the post of second organist. Monferrato was a short time later hired as a singer. After his teacher Rovetta held the position of Kapellmeister, Monferrato in 1647 Vice - Kapellmeister. Only after the death of Cavalli 1676 Monferrato first Kapellmeister at St. Mark's Cathedral, a post he held until his death in 1685.

In addition to his activities at St. Mark's Basilica was Monferrato choirmaster at the Ospedale dei Mendicanti and Kapellmeister at S. Giovanni Crisostomo, where he also had his residence. In partnership with Giuseppe Sala he ran a music publishing company, in which most of his compositions and those of many other composers were printed, and he also gave private harpsichord lessons.

Monferrato most important achievement was the reorganization of the music chapel at St. Mark's Basilica and the creation of stricter criteria for the entrance exams. As a result of this increase in quality emulated the various chapels of Europe for the best Venetian singer. The works Monferrato correspond to the Venetian style of church music at the beginning of the second half of the 17th century and its predecessors, Claudio Monteverdi and Giovanni Rovetta committed.

Works (selection)

  • Salmi concertati (5- 8-voice, 2 violins and organ), Op. 1, 1647
  • Salmi ( 8-voice, ( for double ) and organ) Op. 2, 1653
  • Motetti concertati ... libro primo, ( 2-3 voices ) Op. 3, 1655
  • Motetti ... libro primo, ( for voice ) Op. 3, 1655
  • Motetti ... Terzo libro, ( for voice ) Op. 6, 1655
  • Motetti concertati ... (2- 3-part ) Op. 7, 1669
  • Salmi concertati ... libro secondo ( 3-8 voices and instruments) Op. 8, 1671
  • Salmi brevi ( 8-voice ( for double ) and organ) Op.8, 1675, Bologna
  • Salmi concertati ... (2 voices, 2 violins, viola, and organ) Op. 11, 1676
  • Missa ad usum Capellarum ( for 4-5 voices and organ ) Op. 13, 1677
  • Antiphonae ( for voice ) Op. 17, 1678
  • Motetti ... Terzo libro, ( 2-3 voices ) Op. 18, 1681
  • Misse s Magnificat, for 4 voices, Op. 19, 1681
San Giovanni Grisostomo, Venice Integrated Authority File
593041
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