Les Arts Florissants
Paul Agnew, conductor

(Please note that sound track is unfortunately in mono...)

Published in 1605, Book V of Monteverdi's madrigals is dedicated to the Duke of Mantua Vincent de Gonzague. It also includes in the preamble a warning to “studious readers” which responds to the attacks of Artusi, a fervent protector of tradition. Monteverdi defends his aesthetic vision and announces the publication of a treatise that will never see the light of day, the composer being widely solicited by his many obligations. The term “second practice” was born.

Composed of nineteen madrigals, Book V gives pride of place to the poet Guarini. The formal evolution of grouping several pieces together to create cycles testifies to the dramatic sense of Monteverdi who perhaps envisioned a musical performance. Two madrigals challenge the five-voice model and Monteverdi also introduces a basso continuo.

Always concerned with transcribing human passions with the greatest expressiveness, Monteverdi probes the psychology of his characters through pages whose emotion manages to carry the pub

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