Bartolomeo Barbarino Italian composer and singer Date of Birth: 01.01.1586 Country: Italy

1. Bartolomeo Barbarino: A Virtuoso Falsettist and Monody Composer
2. Early Life and Career
3. Rise to Prominence
4. Monodic Style
5. Musical Publications

Bartolomeo Barbarino: A Virtuoso Falsettist and Monody Composer

Bartolomeo Barbarino (c. 1586-1617) was an Italian composer and singer, renowned as a virtuoso falsettist. He was instrumental in the development of the new monodic style, which featured solo singing with homophonic accompaniment.

Early Life and Career

Little is known about Barbarino's early life. His birthdate is estimated based on an Englishman's account in 1608 that Barbarino was "about forty." He first appeared as an alto singer in Loreto in 1593 and remained in Urbino until 1602, serving under Monsignor Giuliano della Rovere and the Duke of Urbino. From 1602 to 1605, he served as organist at Pesaro Cathedral.

Rise to Prominence

In 1608, Barbarino traveled to Venice to participate in the Festival of San Rocco. By this time, he was a renowned singer and was among the festival's most celebrated guests. English traveler Thomas Coryat described Barbarino's singing in 1611, noting his "most admirable and supernatural voice full of sweetness." Initially believing Barbarino to be a castrato, Coryat expressed even greater admiration upon learning otherwise.

Monodic Style

Barbarino's vocal compositions were predominantly in the monodic style, with elaborate solo lines accompanied by basso continuo. He often used the chitarrone (a type of bass lute), theorbo, and harpsichord for accompaniment. His most significant work was a 1617 collection of madrigals for three voices and continuo.

Musical Publications

Barbarino published two books of sacred songs and thirteen individual sacred works in Venice. He also published five books of madrigals and one book of canzonettas. His legacy includes approximately 150 compositions. He frequently provided two versions of the solo parts for each work: a highly ornamented and technically demanding version, likely intended for his own use, and a simplified version for less skilled singers.