The latest Monteverdi CD by Rinaldo Alessandrini and his Concerto Italiano is this time not devoted to a particular book of madrigals, but to an anthology from books seven and two and the "Scherzi musicali". The central theme of this CD is "Le passioni dell'anima", which involves various aspects of beauty and love. “It is strange that someone like Monteverdi, who lived constantly under stress and
… threats, was able to bear witness to visions of absolute beauty using the most austere means,” said Rinaldo Alessandrini in his commentary on this CD . The program includes an arrangement for voices and strings of the "Lamento d'Arianna", using the five-part version from the sixth book of madrigals. (HJ) _more
