madrigal

The madrigal is a secular vocal composition for multiple voices, usually unaccompanied, that sets poetry to expressive, word-sensitive music. The Italian madrigal of the 16th century represents one of the high points of Renaissance music, with composers like Monteverdi, Marenzio, and Gesualdo pushing the boundaries of harmonic expression. Madrigals use word painting — musical techniques that mirror the meaning of the text. A word like ascending might be set to a rising scale, while death might trigger a chromatic descent. The English madrigal school, led by Thomas Morley and John Wilbye, produced lighter, more dance-like settings. Madrigal singing groups remain popular today, particularly at Renaissance fairs and in collegiate settings.