Monteverdi's Eighth Book of Madrigals, Les Arts Florrissants

Les Ars Florissants have become one of Europe’s foremost baroque ensemble. Composed of a vocal group and a period chamber orchestra, they hold a world-beating reputation for baroque opera. Join them at the Barbican next May for a daylong celebration of Claudio Monteverdi’s Madrigals of Love and War.
The Eighth Book of Madrigals (1638) took almost three decades to compile. Although divided into two themed sections, they cover the gamut of human experience. The texts are based on poems from Petrarch, Tasso, Marino and others, while the music is a culmination of the composer’s stile concitato or ‘agitated style.’ Its twenty-two madrigals, many of which span multiple subsections, dwell in their own unique sound world. This is Monteverdi at his most expressive and revelatory, and among the most enchanting works in the classical tradition.
Scottish tenor Paul Agnew has been a member of several leading early and baroque ensembles, including Gothic Voices, the Tallis Scholars, the Consort of Musicke and the Sixteen. His recorded output includes renowned readings of Bach’s choral works, Purcell’s operas and Dowland’s songs. After a sensational debut conducting Vivaldi in 2007, he became the assistant conductor of Les Arts Florissants.
At 2pm, the ensemble will perform the Madrigali Guerrieri, which use the imaginary of fighting and hunting to convey the pursuit of love; at 7.30pm they will return with the melancholy-tinged Madrigali Amorosi, exploring the unhappiness of infatuation and unfaithfulness. Director Paul Agnew will lead a talk and discussion between 4.30pm and 5.30pm, excavating the musical and historical context of the eighth book. This is a chance to luxuriate in the complete majesty of Monteverdi’s masterpieces.