Manuscript Sources of Seventeenth-century Italian Lute Music

The present study is the first catalog devoted to describing the solo manuscript repertory of 17th-century Italian lute music preserved in tablature for lute, archlute, and theorbo-a collection of 50 manuscripts containing over 2,000 pieces of music-and is an indispensable guide for the scholar and performer. Moreover, this catalog contains information on dozens of sources that have never been described. The work presents introductory chapters discussing source types and formats, notation, internal and external characteristics, users, and instruments; a description and history of each source, including information about their owners and composers as well as an introduction to the music; and a thematic index of the contents of each manuscript, with incipits in both tablature and modern transcription, as well as a list of concordances. Indices and appendices provide locators for finding individual works by title, vocal models, and names of composers, owners, and copyists. Like the previous catalogs of 17th-century Italian and French keyboard music, this reference tool will assist scholars and performers working not only within the field of lute music, but in the larger areas of 17th-century Italian instrumental styles.