L'amante consolato (The Consoled Lover) is the sixth movement from Barbara Strozzi's Cantate, ariette e duetti for 2 voices and basso continuo, Op. 2. It was composed in 1651. The lyrics tell the story of a lover who, despite facing rejection and sorrow, finds consolation in the hope that love may eventually be reciprocated.

Cantate, ariette e duetti is a secular cantata, a composition exploring non-religious themes sung by one or two voices with basso continuo accompaniment.

• What does secular mean?

• What type of notation was used in Europe from the 13th Century until the 17th Century?

• What clef is used for the vocal line?

• What is the key of this piece?

• How does the metre change between bars 1-4 and the remainder of the piece?

• Describe the movement of the basso continuo part in bars 10-12.

• What is the name and function of this symbol?

• Describe how word painting is implimented in bar 26.

Mensural notation was a notation system used in Europe from the 13th Century to the 17th Century. It developed during the Medieval period and allowed musicians to accurately notate and read complex rhythms and melodies. In the Baroque period, mensural notation evolved into the modern notation that we use today.

• Cantata (vs sonata)

• Custos

• Melisma

• Mensural notation

• Secular

• Word painting

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