Le nozze di Tetide per Monteverdi: il "librettino" ritrovato

The codex E.ii.37.572 of the Biblioteca Comunale Teresiana in Mantua contains the manuscript of a maritime fable entitled Le nozze di Tetide by Scipione Agnelli, which was to have been set to music by Claudio Monteverdi. The text, which was thought to have been lost, was identified by the description that appears in the composer’s correspondence. The drammetto was written for the wedding of Duke Ferdinando Gonzaga to Caterina de’ Medici, but was never performed. The development of the work from its commissioning to its cancellation was discussed in an exchange of letters between the composer and Alessandro Striggio. Monteverdi had a poor opinion of the libretto. The lack of scenic variety prevented him from displaying his rich palette of timbre, while the extravagant verses sung by Venti Boreali and Zeffiretti forced him to «imittare il parlar de’ venti». He noted that winds do not speak because «soffiano e sibillano». He further declared that «la favola tutta poi quanto alla mia poca ignoranza non sento che ponto mi mova». Despite this, Monteverdi agreed to accept the task. The commission was cancelled after he had completed 150 verses.