Libro Primo d'Intavolatura di Chitarrone, Venetia 1604

Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger (c. 1580–1651) – Works and Modern Edition

A major composer for the lute, theorbo (chitarrone), and re-entrant-tuned lute, Kapsberger published four books for chitarrone and two for lute, reflecting the evolving nature of the instrument. His prolific output includes secular monodies, sacred music, dances, and operas, often created under the patronage of Cardinal Barberini and Pope Urban VIII. His style—innovative and bold—was praised by theorists such as Athanasius Kircher, who considered him a successor to Monteverdi.

Christopher Wilke’s Urtext edition faithfully restores these demanding works for theorbo and lute, enabling a renewed and enlightened exploration of Kapsberger’s repertoire. Thanks to this critical edition, his long-undervalued oeuvre is now accessible to a wide audience of musicians and scholars.

Christopher Wilke – Lutenist

Passionate about music since childhood, Christopher Wilke began composing even before learning to play an instrument. After exploring electric guitar and bass in his teenage years, he turned to classical guitar and early music. A graduate of the College of Mt. St. Joseph and holder of a master’s degree from the Conservatory of the University of Cincinnati, he continued his studies at the Eastman School of Music, where he earned a doctorate in early music under the direction of Paul O’Dette.

A dedicated teacher, Christopher Wilke has taught guitar and lute while conducting early music ensembles and a large guitar orchestra. He founded the Early Music Ensemble, and several of his compositions have been published by Les Productions d’Oz. A recognized concert artist, he has given recitals in the United States, Italy, and Germany, and his recordings are broadcast on numerous radio stations.

Richard Civiol – Lutenist

A passionate musician, Richard Civiol chose to study the lute and theorbo, instruments that have disappeared from modern orchestras. Holder of a First Prize in musical composition, he explores with equal enthusiasm the repertoires of the Renaissance and Baroque periods, also practicing basso continuo.

He is a member of the ensemble Les Musiciens de Mademoiselle De Guise, directed by Laurence Pottier, with whom he performs in France and abroad and has recorded several CDs. He also plays in the chamber music ensemble L’Oiselière and collaborates with various ensembles, orchestras, and choirs such as La Fabrique à Théâtre, Les Tempéraments, as well as with musicians like Jean-François Frémont, Didier Bouture, Christophe Sam, and Romain Champion. Additionally, he undertakes significant work copying and reconstructing music for lute, theorbo, and vihuela.

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): Christopher Wilke & Richard Civiol
• Musical period: Baroque
• Instrument(s): 14-course Theorbo
• Instrumentation: Theorbo solo
• Notation: Italian & French tablature
• Modern edition: Urtext
• Publisher: Éditions Urtext Le Luth Doré
• Year of publication: 2016
• Collection: Lute and Theorbo Music Collection
• Pages: 174 pp.
• Dimensions: 230x310 mm
• Weight: 0.320 kg
• Binding: Sewn perfect binding
• ISMN: 377-0-0017-8820-3

Toccatas: 1a, 2a Arpeggiata, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a
Ruggiero with party: 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a
Aria of Florence with part: 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a
Ballo Todescho: 1o, 2o, 3o, 4o
Romanescha with party: 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a Arpeggiata
Pass mezzo with partite: 1a, 2a, 3a from B soft
Leave with party: 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a, 12a, 13a, 14a, 15a, 16a, 17a, 18a, 19a
French Ball: 1o, 2o, 3o, 4o
Gagliardas: 1a, 2a, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a, 11a, 12a
Tenor del Kapsperger