Madrigals, Part 1

Il primo libro de madrigali a cinque voci, the first of six madrigal books by the Florentine composer Marco da Gagliano (1582–1643), was originally published in Venice in 1602. The book is distinguished not only for the excellence of its music, but also for its use of texts by some of the most celebrated poets of the day, among them Chiabrera, Della Casa, Guarini, and Marino. It includes madrigals by two guest composers as well: his teacher, Luca Bati, and the Florentine nobleman Giovanni del Turco, Gagliano's student. Gagliano's madrigals from his first book are predominantly syllabic and often homophonic, and they are filled with expressive and declamatory motives. They may be seen as embodying many of the musical ideals of the Florentine camerate, especially that of the clear projection of text, even though they are manifested in a vocal ensemble. Largely unknown as a madrigalist today, Gagliano's work in the genre was well received and admired throughout Europe during his lifetime and after; and especially was this so in Florence, where he flourished as the city's leading composer for more than forty years.