Album: La Venexiana, Claudio Cavina, Luzzasco Luzzaschi: Concerto Delle Dame (Glossa)

The madrigals of Luzzasco Luzzaschi are little-known, and were only saved from oblivion by the death of Alfonso, Duke Of Ferrara, who had guarded these pieces written for the three sopranos of his Concerto delle Dame.

Luzzaschi was then free to publish: the results would be hugely influential on baroque music, notably that of Monteverdi. The three sopranos are accompanied by a small ensemble who offer sombre settings for the ornamentation and serpentine monody of the romantic laments. Masterpieces such as "Troppo ben può" and "O dolcezz'amarissime d'amore" are the 16th-century equivalent of soul-diva showboating.

DOWNLOAD THIS: O dolcezz'amarissime d'amore; Troppo ben può; Stral pungente d'amore

Owen Howells: From the UK to Australia and back again (and again!)

Owen Howells is a DJ/producer who grew up in Australia but was born in the UK. He came back to the U...

Brighton Fringe 2013 – Is everyone sitting uncomfortably?

Fancy seeing a play about serial killers? How about inviting a funeral director into your home for a...

The Fall ‘Darkness Visible’ – Series 1, episode 2

There are a good many moments in the second episode of this psychological thriller that deserve refl...

Most Viewed
Most Shared
Most Commented

Get your summer started with British Military Fitness

BMF is the UK’s biggest and best loved outdoor fitness classes

Visit York Nook Get reading

Prizes & offers Business videos

Visit York

Find out what The Independent's resident travel expert has to say about one of the most beautiful small cities in the world

Military Fitness Nook Get reading

Prizes & offers Business videos

Making reading fun for kids

Nook is donating eReaders to volunteers at high-need schools and participating in exclusive events throughout the campaign.

Military Fitness Visit York Get reading

Prizes & offers Business videos

Introducing the 'Get Reading' campaign

Get the latest on The Evening Standard's campaign to get London's children reading.

Military Fitness Visit York Nook

Prizes & offers Business videos

Enter the latest Independent competitions

Win anything from gadgets to five-star holidays on our competitions and offers page.

Military Fitness Visit York Nook

Get reading Business videos

Business videos from commercial thought leaders

Watch the best in the business world give their insights into the world of business.

Military Fitness Visit York Nook

Get reading Prizes & offers

Johnny Marr talks relationships and reunions

He's worked with Modest Mouse, the Pet Shop Boys and Beck, to name a few, and recently released his first solo album. So why, wonders Johnny Marr, do people still hark on about The Smiths?

In pictures: After the flood

From Haiti to Britain, one man has captured the devastation of our increasingly deluged lands

Death becomes her: Meet the very modern mortician who champions 'cool' funerals

Death becomes her: A very modern mortician

Ever considered baking a loved one's remains into a cake or putting their ashes in fireworks? If so, talk to Caitlin Doughty, champion of the alternative death industry.