Claudio Monteverdi was famous for his “Selva morale” published in Venice in 1640 by the end of his life. But this work is incredibly beautiful also. It was dedicated to the Empress Eleonora Gonzaga. This was the greatest composition since the one of Vespro della Beata Vergine was published in 1610. This version follows the 16th-century guidelines, and only the odd verses are polyphonic. All the other verses are intended to be sung in plainsong or accompanied on the organ. The musical characteristics of Claudio Monteverdi are unique and cannot be imitated.
