La Compagnia Del Madrigale - Luca Marenzio: Quinto Libro Di Madrigali A Sei Voci (1591)

La Compagnia del Madrigale’s subtle, yet powerful advocacy of great Italian madrigals continues with Marenzio's 'Quinto Libro di Madrigali a sei voci' from 1591. Their previous recordings including the recent award-winning 'Primo Libro', have demonstrated their fresh approach, imbued with invaluable years of experience in other groups such as La Venexiana and Concerto Italiano. From 2016 La Compagnia have been invited to join the concert season at Wigmore Hall. Marenzio’s 'Quinto Libro' was dedicated to Virginio Orsini, Duke of Bracciano, on the occasion of his marriage to Flavia Peretti: a wedding album full of the latest musical and poetical techniques. The "Canzon de’ baci", with words by Guarini, for example, is a marvel of its kind. However, below the surface polish of elegant and stylised Late Renaissance vocal music lurks a dramatic tale, conjured up by Marco Bizzarini in his booklet essay; of crimes of honour and passion, hired assassins and feuds between powerful aristocratic families… La Compagnia del Madrigal’s rendition of Marenzio’s madrigals is captured by, and presented with, the Glossa production hallmarks you would expect.