This edition was prepared by Allen Garvin — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Cantai un tempo
Staff Notation • Secular, Madrigals
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4 editions of this piece
Different typesettings and voicings of the same work. This page shows the main edition; the others are below.
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Cantai un tempo by Claudio Monteverdi — Lyrics
Cantai un tempo, e se fu dolce il canto
questo mi tacerò, ch'altri il sentiva;
or è ben giunto ogni mia festa a riva,
et ogni mio piacer rivolto in pianto.
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About Cantai un tempo
Claudio Monteverdi's Cantai un tempo is a secular madrigal for SSATB voices. The text paints a scene of past joy giving way to present sorrow. The singer reflects on a time when his song was sweet and heard by others, but now all his celebrations have ended and his pleasures turned to tears. He envies those who can restrain their desires and live in peace, contrasting their state with his own, which is deprived of rest and quiet. The composer's skill in setting such poignant words for this rich vocal combination is evident throughout this moving work.
