Life
Trained at the dawn of the new century, his long and prestigious career, from training to full maturity, took place entirely within the Baroque period, of which he was an original exponent with his music for theorbo.
Born in Collegara, near Modena, in 1580, Bellerofonte Castaldi distinguished himself from a young age as a free, independent, and polemic spirit. He was a poet and musician, famous above all as a lutenist and theorbist, and was able to create works of great originality for string instruments.
His production includes compositions for theorbo and Spanish guitar, in addition to madrigals and cantatas. The collection Capricci a due stromenti (1622) is considered among the most significant of his time. He frequented the artistic and literary circles of Modena, maintaining a personal and non-conformist style. He died in Modena in 1649.
Aneddoto
An Unconventional Life
Castaldi was involved in polemics and controversies that made him a debated figure, but also one admired for his intellectual independence.Works
Among his principal works, the Capricci a due stromenti (1622) for theorbo and Spanish guitar stand out, as well as madrigals, villanellas, and cantatas that combine irony and poetic sensitivity. His collections testify to an experimental taste and an innovative approach to instrumental music.
Briciole di storia
Pubblico dominio (Commons)
