An instrumental journey through the Italian musical landscape at the turn of the 17th century, exploring the madrigal as it adopted the innovations of the evolving Seconda Prattica. Monteverdi’s most captivating works from his 4th, 5th and 6th books are paired with brilliant virtuosic diminutions on older madrigals and framed by gems of contemporary counterpoint and dance featuring music by Bassano, Gabrieli and Palestrina, among others. This musical journey is punctuated by readings from the great Italian minds of the literary, scientific and cultural elite.