chitarrone

The chitarrone, also spelled chitarrone or chitarone, is a large lute-like string instrument from the late Renaissance and early Baroque periods. It belongs to the lute family and was primarily employed as a bass continuo instrument, accompanying vocal and instrumental ensembles, and occasionally used for solo passages.

Construction and characteristics are typical of a large plucked lute. It has a rounded, pear-shaped body and a long neck. The instrument carries extra bass strings that extend the range downward, either on a separate bass neck or on an extended portion of the neck with a second pegbox. The total number of strings varies by instrument, often comprising a mix of melody courses and several pairs of bass courses. Strings are generally plucked with the fingers, sometimes with a plectrum, to produce a rich, sustained bass line that supports harmony.

Terminology and relation to the theorbo are nuanced. In many sources, chitarrone and theorbo refer to closely related or overlapping instruments; some scholars distinguish chitarrone as a larger or differently configured bass lute. Regardless of naming, the instrument plays a central role in basso continuo practice of its era.

Historical context and repertoire: the chitarrone emerged in Italy in the late 16th century and was widely used through the 17th century, featured in court and church music and by composers such as those active in the Italian baroque. Its use declined in the 18th century as keyboard continua and new orchestral practices evolved. Modern performances of early music sometimes reconstruct chitarrone or theorbo parts on replicas to realize Baroque continuo and solo passages.