Claudio Monteverdi: Dolcissimo uscignolo (1638) with Synthesizer V

Описание: This short madrigal by Claudio Monteverdi consists of a soprano soloist alternating with a chorus of 5 homophonic male voice parts plus basso continuo accompaniment. It compares a gallant lover to a nightingale seeking his beloved. The cavalier gentleman expresses envy for a nightingale's simplicity and innocence in matters of love.

The original MIDI file was downloaded from CPDL.org and its author is Gerd Eichler. I added the Italian lyrics using the Synthesizer V software with Solaria (for the soprano) and Kevin (for the males voices). I also added the accompaniment of a chitarrone and bass viol in the obligatory 6th part using the iPhone app Music Studio 2. Reverb and echo were added using Audacity v.3.75

Text:

Dolcissimo uscignolo, (Sweetest nightingale)
tu chiami la tua cara compagnia (you call to your dear companion)
cantando: «Vieni, vieni, anima mia». (singing "come, come my soulmate")
A me canto non vale, (To me a song is no value)
e non ho come tu da volar ale. (and I have not wings like you to fly)
O felice augelletto, (O happy little bird)
come nel tuo diletto (how for your pleasure)
ti ricompensa ben l'alma natura: (kind nature compensates you well)
se ti negò saper, ti diè ventura. (-- though you know not -- with good fortune)

Description of photos:

1. Nightingale among roses, detail from a mural in Pompeii, 1st century CE
2. Singers, Adam de Coster, c1620
3. A gentleman riding a goat while holding a nightingale (perhaps to send a message to his lover), Anon. French, Pierpoint Morgan Libr. MS M1001 c1475
4. Musician at the balcony, Gerrit van Honthorst, 1622
5. Concert, Gerrit van Honthorst, 1623