This edition was prepared by Allen Garvin — free to download, print, rehearse and perform.
Era l'anima mia
Staff Notation • Madrigals
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3 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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Era l'anima mia by Claudio Monteverdi — Lyrics
Era l'anima mia
già presso l'ultim'hore
e languia come langue alma che more;
quand'anima più bella, e più gradita
volse lo sguardo in sì pietoso giro
che mi ritenne in vita.
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About Era l'anima mia
Claudio Monteverdi's Era l'anima mia is a remarkable example of the Italian madrigal tradition. Scored for SATTB voices, it sets a poignant Italian text that speaks of the soul nearing its end, only to be revived by a loving gaze. The lyrics describe a profound spiritual connection, where the beloved's life is more precious than the singer's own breath, and the thought of their separation is unbearable. Monteverdi masterfully captures the emotional intensity of the text, reflecting the Renaissance fascination with humanistic themes and the expressive possibilities of polyphony. This piece showcases the composer's early mastery of word painting and emotional depth within the secular madrigal form.
