Description
Beatus Vir (Blessed is the Man) is a setting of the famous text from Psalm 112. The full text is included in the pdf preview file. This setting for Soprano - Mezzo-soprano and Alto, 3 part chorus and Organ accompaniment can be performed at concerts or used during Church services, especially during Advent - Christmas and Epiphany seasons. It is a Baroque composition with unusual time changes between double (imperfect) and triple (perfect) time and with a new vocal treatment for sacred music that reflects the bel canto style. The harmonic changes are quite modern, unusual and even abrupt. The composer, Giovanni Giacomo Arrigoni,(also spelled Arigoni) was a famous organist who worked in Mantova (among other places) together with Claudio Monteverdi. This work is from "Opera IX": Psalms for 3 voices (originally for three male voices, ATB) with various instrumental accompaniments to be performed ad libitum, and includes a Magnificat for 5 voices and two violins from 1663. The selection "Beatus Vir" was dedicated to Carlo, Duke of Mantova, brother of the Empress Eleonora, wife to Ferdinando III.
I find the melodies almost recognizable and easy to memorize, the music is quick to learn. The original version for Alto-Tenor-Bass is also included on my site. It is written to be accompanied by Organ, with the figured bass included, but since the accompanying part is written on 2 lines, a piano can also be used.