Primo Libro di Madrigali a 4 voci – Arie a voce sola dal Libro I dei Madrigali a 5 voci

The first book of madrigals for 4 voices, published in Venice by Ricciardo Amadino in 1614, brings together works, which probably date to around the end of the sixteenth century.
This assumption results both from stylistic reasons, and from the words “novamente posti in luce” (newly published) which appear on the frontispiece of the Venetian edition.
The dedication to Don Alfonso d”Este, prince of Modena and Reggio, suggests a fairly close relationship between Rossi and the Modenese court (the second book of instrumental works had already been dedicated to Alfonso’s father, Cesare d”Este).
This book testifies to the rich and already expert craftsmanship of the young Salamone, trying his hand at a poetic repertoire, which was already classical and formalized: the renaissance madrigal.
The first known edition of his first book of madrigals for 5 voices appeared in 1600, again published in Venice by Ricciardo Amadino.
This collection enjoyed considerable success in Europe, as demonstrated by its five editions (the last of which was published in Antwerp in 1618) and by the frequent presence of its madrigals in various foreign anthologies.
Particularly noteworthy in this book are the 6 arias for solo voice (madrigals 12-17, included on this recording), “to be sung to the Chitarrone” with intablature by the author himself.
These pieces are unique not only within the music by Rossi. Indeed, they are among the first printed examples of the genre and therefore shed valuable light on the performance practice of arranging polyphonic music as monody and intabulating the vocal accompaniment.