The purpose of this edition of the Sonate da chiesafor theorbo and organ fromthe Intavolatura di tiorba, opera prima(1669) of Giovanni Pittoni is to make available a clear,
modern notationof the theorbo part, which appears in the score in Italian lute tablature, and to place the works within their performance context. This edition enables a keyboardist to read the solo theorbo part to help keep the ensemble together and to help create a continuo realization. Under usual circumstances acontinuo player can read the part of the soloistand can use it to instruct how to realize the accompaniment. With tablature, however, the keyboardist is at a disadvantage, since most –practically all – do not read tablature. The accompanying text reveals how the works were used andhowthe continuois to be realized, and suggestsanswers to the problems associated with continuo realization for bass instruments in a solo role. This score is not intended to make the music more accessible to the soloist, since theorbists are already skilled at reading tablature. Additionally, recreating the tablature was unnecessary, sincethe original source(or facsimile) is easily read. In addition, errors have been identified, and possible...