L.L. Monteverdi- Lamento Della Ninfa-Kirkby

This selection is from Monteverdi's eighth book of Madrigals. It is written for three male voice parts with an ostinato accompaniment. A female soloist emerges after the introduction. It was published in 1638.

This particular volume of Monteverdi's works was arranged very carefully by the composer himself, and are set up in very particular sequences. This suggests that the work should be approached as a whole work, not just as a series of selections.

The music suggests a rather pained sense of majesty, almost desperate during the solo section.

I have always found Monteverdi to possess the heroic side of the Baroque sound, as is appropriate concerning the magnificent and royal "Orfeo."