Kapsberger

Giovanni Kapsberger

This piece, which Kapsperger somewhat vainly seems to have named after himself, is for solo theorbo, and is from Libro quarto d’intavolatura di chitarrone, published in Venice in 1640.

Vieni, Vieni Himeneo

Andrea Gabrieli

This is another wedding madrigal – Himeneo was the Hellenistic God of marriage. In Greek mythology, Himeneo presides over many weddings, and his absence at a wedding ceremony was thought to signal the imminent failure of the marriage. Hymenaeus is also a genre of Greek poetry, traditionally sung during the procession of a bride to her groom's house in which the god was appealed. (The word ‘hymn’ comes from his name, as does the word ‘hymen’.) Published posthumously by Giovanni Gabrieli, this music, for two SATB choirs, is an example of the influence on Gabrieli of Lassus, with whom Gabrieli had an enduring friendship, as it is written in a contrapuntal style very similar to that of Lassus.

Vieni, vieni Himeneo,
Vieni, dunqu’Himeneo,
O felice Himeneo,
ov’hor t’invita Questa cara e gradita
Schiera de’ novi amanti
Con prieghi humili e con si dolci canti.

Come, come Himeneo,
Come then, Himeneo,
O happy Himeneo, to where you are invited
By this dear and welcoming
Group of new lovers
With humble prayers, and with such sweet songs.

Canzona Duodecima Toni I á 10

Giovanni Gabrieli

This instrumental canzona was published in Venice in 1597.