Les Arts Florissants perform Monteverdi: Madrigals, Book VI

To give a rendition of the the eight books of madrigals by Monteverdi, this was Paul Agnew's extensive project... The concerts started in 2011 with the singers of Les Arts Florissants and has continued since then. This concert represents the perfect opportunity to hear the Sixth Book of madrigals.

Published in 1614, the Sixth Book opens with a tanscription of the famous Lamento d'Arianna, the only fragment that remains of an opera composed in 1608 by Monteverdi for the Mantua's court. In this score, music espouses the inner feelings of the heroine and draws the picture of her distress. This first piece gives the tone to the entire book: farewell, distance and loss are the main themes developped in the poems written by Petrarch (to his beloved Laura) and Gian Battista Marino.

This concert was part of the complete Monteverdi Madrigals series performed by Les Arts Florissants conducted by Paul Agnew at the Cité de la Musique, and at the théâtre de Caen.

Les Arts Florissants are supported by the Ministry of Culture and Communication, la Ville de Caen and the Région Basse-Normandie. They are in residency at the théâtre de Caen. Imerys and Alstom are the great benefactors of Les Arts Florissants.

This concert is also broadcast live on citedelamusiquelive.tv, culturebox and artsflomedia.com. Concert recorded by France Musique.

Picture: © Philippe Grollier