The theorbo, or chitarrone as it was known in Italy, evolved from the lute family and is described in Giulio Caccini's Nuove musiche 1600, as the preferred instrument to accompany the solo voice.
The long, open bass strings, called diapasons, extended the theorbo's range beyond that of the renaissance lute and offered new musical possibilities, which composers soon exploited, giving birth to a solo repertoire for the instrument.
The theorbo therefore became one of the most versatile and widely used instruments of the baroque period. In addition to an extensive solo repertoire, it served a vital role of figured bass in a continuo group or within a baroque orchestra.
The long, open bass strings, called diapasons, extended the theorbo's range beyond that of the renaissance lute and offered new musical possibilities, which composers soon exploited, giving birth to a solo repertoire for the instrument.
The theorbo therefore became one of the most versatile and widely used instruments of the baroque period. In addition to an extensive solo repertoire, it served a vital role of figured bass in a continuo group or within a baroque orchestra.
