The Courtless Musician

Available for 29 days

Kate Molleson begins with Monteverdi’s early years in Cremona, where he emerged as a precocious and ambitious young composer. The programme traces his first publications, from sacred music to madrigals, and the training that grounded him in the traditions of Renaissance polyphony. As his writing grows bolder and he learns to break the rules, Monteverdi experiments with madrigals. Scherzi musicali a tre voci – Damigella tutta bella Philippe Jaroussky, countertenor Nuria Rial, soprano Jan van Elsacker, tenor Cyril Auvity, tenor Nicolas Achten, baritone João Fernandes, bass L’Arpeggiata Christina Pluhar, director Sacrae cantiunculae (excerpts) Györ Girls’ Choir Jeunesses Musicales Chorus Il primo libro de madrigali (Nos. 1-6) Consort of Musicke Anthony Rooley, director Canzonette a tre voci (Nos. 1-3) Armoniosoincanto Franco Radicchia, director Madrigals, Book 2 (excerpts) Consort of Musicke Anthony Rooley, director Produced by Ellie Ajao for BBC Audio Wales and West