Intavolatura di Liuto Attiorbato, Libro Secondo, Venetia 1616

Pietro Paolo Melli and the Liuto Attiorbato

Born in Reggio in 1579, Pietro Paolo Melli was appointed lutenist at the court of Matthias I in 1612, the year of his accession to the throne of the Holy Roman Empire. A highly regarded musician, Melli received a generous salary and remained at his post under Ferdinand II. In 1623, he left the court and returned to Reggio nell’Emilia, but no further information about his death has been found.

Between 1614 and 1616, Melli published five books of Intavolatura di Liuto Attiorbato with Giacomo Vincenti, a leading music printer in northern Italy. His dedications reflect connections with the imperial and Italian nobility, as well as with musicians such as Claudio Monteverdi. His sense of humor emerges in pieces like the Volta detta la Furiosa, dedicated to an artillery general.

Melli’s style is part of the musical developments of the seventeenth century. He composed for the liuto attiorbato, an emblematic instrument of accompanied monody and early opera. His works include dances, preludes, and canzonas, often marked by chromatic experimentation. He also left a few pieces for theorbo and lute duos, rare testimonies of a little-documented repertoire.

This edition was prepared by Wanda Kozyra and Richard Civiol, based on the original prints preserved at the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana.

Wanda Kozyra – Lutenist

Originally from Gdansk, Wanda Kozyra studied lute at the CNSMD in Lyon with Eugène Ferré before furthering her training with Rolf Lislevand in Germany. A passionate chamber musician, she explores musical theatre, early dance, and improvisation. She performs with L’Académie du Concert de Lyon, Conversation Baroque, L’Ensemble Baroque de Toulouse, and Silva Rerum, while directing La Cortesia, which she founded. As a pedagogue, she teaches at the CRR in Lyon and the CRD in Romans. Her work for Le Luth Doré® is inspired by poetry, leisure, and running.

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

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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): Wanda Kozyra & Richard Civiol
• Musical period: Late Renaissance
• Instrument(s): 14c Archlute
• Notation: Italian & French tablature
• Modern edition: Urtext
• Publisher: Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions
• Year of publication: 2015
• Collection: Lute and Theorbo Music Collection
• Pages: 164 pp.
• Dimensions: 230x310 mm
• Weight: 0.320 kg
• Binding: Sewn perfect binding
• ISMN: 377-0-0017-8808-1

Suonate

Correnti: La Prezzata Imperiale, Bartola, L'Alvisina, Diana, Darduina, Favorita, Amigona, Palatina, Passaura, Bernardella, Graciosa, Speranza, Glisente, Alessandrina, Rubestaina, Rangona, Inamorata

Turn: Brava, Piacevole, Savia, Robartella, Losestana, Contumacia, Furiosa, Ambasciatrice

Prelude: Slesiante, Bransuico, Bavarante, Estense

Gagliarde: Crudelle, Liberale, Rossa, Fontanella, Farnese, Favalina

Ballet/Intrada: Fedel Amante, Festinberga, Giorgia, Frubenia

Capricci: Chromatic, Cortese, Esempi

Concert: Astarosta, Gran Marasale, Regiana, Favorita Gonzaga (Liuto Corista, Liuto più grando un Tasto)