Monteverdi continuo madrigals?

A little while I heard an excellent recording (about which I know nothing) of a Monteverdi continuo madrigal

The last recording of 'Zefiro tourna' I owned was the LP mono by Noah Greenberg's group from the '50's. Absolutely one of Monteverdi's loveliest madrigal's, but I've never come across another version since. I'd be satisfied just to get a recommendation for a currently available recording of it.

Well, it's 'Zefiro torna,' and there are dozens of recordings (36 matches at Amazon.com, for instance). I don't know what else to say, but if you can find Alessandrini's version, that's a safe bet. This madrigal is in book #6, part of the Lamento d'Arianna.

Todd McComb

If you spell it 'Zefiro torna' you will find several recordings of it at tower.com and such places. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be one by Alessandrini.

There are two settings of Zefiro torna ('Zephyr returns': one is in Scherzi musicali, vol. 2, and the other is in Book Six of the Madrigals. Both have been recorded many times. For the former, I recommend the Tragicomedia recording entitled 'Madrigali concertati,' which came out about 10 years ago on Teldec Das Alte Werk, or Il Complesso Barocco conducted by Alan Curtis on Virgin, a disc entitled 'Zefiro torna,' in fact. If you're really curious, check out the recording directed by Nadia Boulanger and featuring the incomparable Hugues Cuenod, which was issued on Pearl. Cuenod returned to the work in a much later recording conducted by Leppard that I have on a Vanguard LP. (That was my first exposure to the work in the late '60s; it was love at first hearing.)

For the latter setting, you could try to find the Concerto Italiano recording of the complete Book VI on Arcana, but I fear that it is op. A good alternative is the Chiaroscuro / London Baroque recording of selected madrigals by D'India and Monteverdi on Virgin. I first heard this setting about 30 years ago on a beautiful Archiv LP by the Jurgen Juergens and the Monteverdi Choir of Hamburg called 'Virtuoso Madrigals.'

While you're at it, give a listen to Marenzio's incredible setting of the same text, recorded by Concerto Italiano on Opus 111.

I don't know if it's still available because it seems to be on Arcana rather than Alessandrini's usual label (Opus 111). Alessandrini and Concerto Italiano are often said to have revolutionized Monteverdi singing. The most obviously attractive feature is the sensualness of the singing and the sheer beauty of sound they make. Outstanding recordings too.

. . . available from Berkshire, as follows:

Monteverdi, 'Complete Chamber Duets, Volume 1'. (Il Complesso Barocco/ Curtis. Total time: 67'51' Add to cart Price: $ 5.99 Country: AMERICA D/A code: D Code: 45293 BRO Code: 108704 Label: VIRGIN

Alessandrini has done many recordings for Arcana, but Arcana is not presently available in the US. I don't know how available their back catalog is in Europe, but they do continue to release new recordings (which are available in Europe).

Alessandrini's recording of this piece is on Arcana 66. I'd refer you to the EM FAQ information, but they can't seem to keep the electricity on in the building that houses my server (argh!).

Todd McComb

Bingo - that's one of my favorite vocal records ever.

Paul Goldstein

The recording of Monteverdi's Book VI on Arcana is listed as available by alapage, but it is very expensive (about 23 Euros).