Review

Claudio Monteverdi
Chorus of the Infernal Spirits: from L'Orfeo

Arranged by Marc Williams

6 tenors (3 in tenor clef), 2 basses

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Publisher: Cherry Classics Music
Date of Publication: 2024
URL: http://www.cherryclassics.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Trombone Ensembles - 8 trombones

Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643) is widely regarded as the first composer to realize the full dramatic potential of opera, and L’Orfeo (1607) stands as the genre’s first true masterwork. Our instrumental predecessor, the sackbut, is used to great dramatic effect within the score. Monteverdi utilizes the sackbut to symbolize the boundary between life and death; the five instruments (two tenors, two basses, and one contrabass) double the vocal parts in the "Chorus of the Infernal Spirits" to provide a solemn, haunting, and declamatory depth. This reinforces the stern, unyielding laws of Hades’ underworld.

In this 8-part trombone ensemble arrangement, Marc Williams skillfully adapts the Chorus for modern instruments. The arrangement follows a ternary (ABA) structure, beginning and ending with the short Sinfonia that bookends the chorus. The Sinfonia is of particular dramatic significance, as it originally featured an ensemble of "dark" instruments—cornettos, sackbuts, regal, and chitarrone—to signal Orfeo's arrival at the river Styx.

In Williams’ layout, the upper three parts are set in tenor clef, while trombones 4–6 and both bass trombones are in bass clef. Trombones 1 and 3 navigate the highest tessitura, frequently reaching c2, while Trombones 2 and 4 are scored up to a1. Bass Trombone 2 descends no lower than trigger D. All parts require confident independence due to the quick transitions between homophonic and contrapuntal textures. I highly recommend this tastefully set arrangement for inclusion on your next trombone octet or ensemble recital program.