Born either in Ghent or in Weert near Antwerp, Giaches de Wert (1535 – 1596) went to Italy, where he settled first in Mantua and then in Ferrara. While there he became a master of the madrigal form. This program presents three selection of his madrigals: first one performed by Cantus Cölln (Konrad Junghänel, conductor), then by Currende Consort, lead by Eric Van Nevel and finally by The Consort of Musicke under the direction of the founder, Anthony Rooley.

Featured in this program is Piffaro, a late Medieval and Renaissance ensemble from Philadelphia. Under the direction of Joan Kimball and Robert Wiemken, Piffaro tours extensively in the United States and Europe. In the first half of the program, Piffaro performs music from the Odhecaton, an anthology of secular songs published by Ottaviano Petrucci in 1501 in Venice. This selection includes music by Antoine Bruhier, Alexander Agricola and Jacob Obrecht.

Music in this program comes from the anthologies created by Tielman Susato, the 16th Century Flemish composer and publisher. In a selection called Love Songs and Dances from the Renaissance Capella Antiqua performs music by Josquin, Antoine Brumel, and other early Flemish composers. Musica Reservata follows with 16th Century French Dance Music, Susato’s arrangements of the French-Flemish music.