The First Book of Madrigals by Salamon Rossi, published in 1600, includes six madrigals with tablature for 'Chittarrone'. This document represents a unique model for instrumental accompaniment and the first example about the...
moreThe First Book of Madrigals by Salamon Rossi, published in 1600, includes six madrigals with tablature for 'Chittarrone'.
This document represents a unique model for instrumental accompaniment and the first example about the evolution of Chitarrone as a continuous instrument.
The aim of this work is to demonstrate, through the analysis of madrigals with particular regard to Chitarrone tablatures, that Salamon Rossi’s book can be considered as an early example of ‘basso continuo’, in spite of general views defining the First Book of Madrigals just as an example of ‘basso seguente’.
In this study, the birth of the basso continuo and its development are presented, as well as the role of the lute in the development of accompanying practice; the history of Chitarrone is also taken into account - from its first appearance to its gradual dissemination across Europe.
The important role of Salamon Rossi in the progress of Chitarrone’s practice is the core of this thesis, with a particular focus on the First Book of Madrigals.
In the appendix, my transcription and analysis of six madrigals is included in order to supply a critical apparatus for the interpretation of the whole work. Indeed, the few examples of transcriptions available in the literature do not always correspond to Rossi’s original tablature. This work aims to fill a gap in the field, providing amendments to errors made in the original version.
