The Medici Wedding of 1589

[ellid]

In 1589, the Grand Duke of Florence, Ferdinando, married Christina of Lorraine. The entire city was involved in the stunning festivities, which consumed several days and took almost a year to plan, costume, choreograph, and rehearse.


The best known of the entertainments enjoyed by the newlyweds and their guests were a series of intermedi performed between acts of La Pellegrina, a play staged in the brand new, state of the art theater in the Palazzo Uffizi. These were so enjoyed that they were performed several times after their initial appearance before the Grand Duke and Duchess.

We are fortunate indeed that records of the costumes, scripts, staging, choreography, and music have survived almost intact. Over twenty years ago the BBC used these priceless and enormously influential records to produce a television version of the intermedi, using the Taverner Consort and musicians such as Dame Emma Kirkby. Modern special effects were used to recreate the elaborate stage machinery and effects of the late 16th century, but in many ways this is as close as we of the 21st century will ever come to the glory that was the wedding of Christina and Ferdinando.

Enjoy!

Comments

[kamion.livejournal.com]

nice music, a bit slow in tempi to my taste, but it sounds rather Moniverdian
have a look at his MariaVespers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbihntVfdKo

I heard the instrumental parts played here as a soundbit supporting a performance of "Lucifers Tragedy" from Joost van den Vondel.
Every time one of the archangels came to tell something he just hearded from GOD he came down a big stair with this music playing. When you want to show the Glory of God thers no better music ( I think as an atheist).

[ellid.livejournal.com]

*nods* Montiverdi was another of the great late Renaissance/early Baroque Italian composers. His operas were almost certainly influenced by La Pellagrina and similar elaborate dramatic/musical works.