Claudio Monteverdi - Selva Morale e Spirituale (Michel Corboz)

Information

Composer: Claudio Monteverdi

• Selva Morale e Spirituale (6 CDs)

Ensemble Vocal et Instrumental de Lausanne

Michel Corboz, conductor

Date: 1967 / 2026

Label: Alexandre Bak - Classical Music Reference Recording

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Selva morale e spirituale (SV 252–288) is a major collection of sacred music by Claudio Monteverdi, published in Venice in 1640–1641. Translating to “Moral and Spiritual Forest,” it represents his most important anthology of liturgical works since the 1610 Vespers. Unlike that earlier collection, which reflected his time in Mantua, this compilation draws on music composed during his tenure at St Mark’s Basilica in Venice. Dedicated to Eleonora Gonzaga, it is often regarded as Monteverdi’s final statement in church music. The collection includes diverse forms, from Italian madrigals to a full mass, with varied vocal and instrumental scoring.

Michel Corboz (1934–2021) was a distinguished Swiss conductor known for his contributions to choral music. Born in Marsens and educated in Fribourg, he studied vocal performance and composition before becoming director of church music in Lausanne in 1953. In 1961, he founded the Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne, with which he achieved international recognition through recordings and tours. He also collaborated with the Gulbenkian Choir in Lisbon and taught in Geneva. Corboz received numerous honors, including French and Portuguese distinctions, reflecting his significant impact on European musical life.