Capirola Lutebook

The so-called Capirola Lutebook is one of the most important sources of early 16th century Italian lute music.

It is an illuminated manuscript which comprises the entire surviving output of Vincenzo Capirola.

There are 42 folios; the manuscript begins with a short note by its creator, one Vitale (Vidal), pupil of Capirola's.

This explanation is followed by a substantial text on lute playing technique, ornaments and notation—one of the most important sources on performance practice of the time.

The lutebook contains the following works (for intabulations, composers of vocal originals are given): The music varies in difficulty from very easy pieces (intended, as Vitale observes, for teaching purposes) to virtuosic toccata-like works.