When Claudio Monteverdi composed his fourth book of madrigals, he seriously thought about quitting his position in Mantua and leaving for the court of Ferrara. However, nothing came of this plan with the death of the Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso II. The Fourth Book thus travels - according to the textbook of this CD - between the poles of Mantua and Ferrara. The atmosphere that can be tasted in the
… different cities, could be found in the music. Mantua is called an elegant and serene city and Ferrara more secretive, mysterious and reserved. For the modern tourist this may be a bit difficult to imagine, because personally I would like to call Mantua more mysterious (perhaps because the water at Mantua in the opera Rigoletto has such a sinister destination). But who knows how the cities came across in Monteverdi's time. After all, Ferrara was the city of the emotionally tormented madrigalist Carlo Gesualdo, who, as the murderer of his adulterous wife, had a lot to hide. Be that as it may, this is another very fine CD by the group La Venexiana, whose recordings of madrigals are generally highly appreciated. (CP)more
