Intabolatura de Lauto, Libro Primo, Venetia 1546

Intabolatura de lauto by Marc’Antonio del Pifaro

Published in Venice in 1546 by Antonio Gardane, Intabolatura de lauto is the only known work by Marc’Antonio del Pifaro (c. 1500–c. 1575). It gathers “Venetian” dances characteristic of the Renaissance lute repertoire, in the tradition of Dalza’s Libro Quarto, published by Petrucci in the early sixteenth century.

Most pieces pair a chiarenzana with a saltarello, and their titles suggest a geographical origin (Bolognese, Cremonese), a musical structure (Geometrina, La Battaglia), or a dedication (G. Stampa). The chiarenzana, a courtly dance related to the passamezzo, is distinguished by its unique harmonic and metric sequence.

Little is known about del Pifaro’s life. His talent as a singer and lutenist is attested by Luca Gaurico in 1552, who described him as a remarkable performer. Papal documents confirm his presence in Rome with his pupil Alessandro, though the date of his death remains unknown.

This edition was prepared by Sandro Volta and Richard Civiol, based on the copy preserved at the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana.

Sandro Volta – Lutenist, Conductor, and Musicologist

A concert performer since the 1980s, Sandro Volta has specialized in the Italian Renaissance and Baroque repertoire. He has recorded works by composers such as Caccini, Kapsberger, Monteverdi, Vivaldi, and Robert de Visée for labels including Arion, Tactus, Dynamic, and Brilliant Classics. Winner of the Grand Prix du Disque in Paris in 1994, he has been praised by Le Monde de la Musique, Diapason, and The New York Times. He has directed several theaters in Italy and is currently conducting research on ancient tablatures, notably those of Marco dall’Aquila and Ottaviano Petrucci.

Richard Civiol – Lutenist

A musician and copyist, Richard Civiol has explored the lute and theorbo repertoire for several decades. Holder of a First Prize in musical composition, he performs both Renaissance and Baroque music and practices basso continuo. Member of L’Oiselière and Les Musiciens de Mademoiselle De Guise, he performs in France and abroad. He collaborates with various ensembles, orchestras, and choirs and works on the reconstruction of ancient manuscripts.

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions offer scores faithful to historical sources, optimized for musicians and musicologists. Our editions combine careful engraving, practical layout, durable materials, and detailed critical apparatus in multiple languages.

Each text is rigorously established note by note to ensure an authentic restitution of the works, including original fingerings and ornamentations, as well as relevant stylistic suggestions.

Created by experts, our editions provide clear readability and enlightened interpretation of early music repertoire.

• Editor(s): Sandro Volta & Richard Civiol
• Musical period: Renaissance
• Instrument(s): 6-course Renaissance Lute
• Instrumentation: Solo Renaissance Lute
• Notation: Italian and French tablature
• Modern edition: Urtext
• Publisher: Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions
• Year of publication: 2015
• Collection: Lute and Theorbo Music Collection
• Pages: 88 pp.
• Dimensions: 230×310 mm
• Weight: 0.320 kg
• Binding: Sewn perfect binding
• ISMN: 377-0-0017-8807-4

Chiarenzana

Chiarenzana de Megio, La Geometrina, La Ciriolla, il Girotto, Larcholano, La Bataglia, G. Stampa, la Malveza, Laquila (L'Aquila), La Bolognese, La Marsilia, La Madalena, La Lambertina, It is well and good

Saltarello

Il suo saltarello, de La Geometrina, de la Stampa, (Il) Bel Fiore, La Ciriola, (Il) Bianchetto, Laquila (L'Aquila), non ti parti da me, Il Marsilio, anconitano (l'Anconitano), Il Cremonese