Concerto Italiano: Monteverdi’s Madrigals
Be enchanted by Renaissance songs of passion and longing in a rare UK visit from the pioneering ensemble, performing the complete Third Book of Madrigals.
Monteverdi’s music first brought Concerto Italiano to international attention, and it remains at the heart of the ensemble’s work and identity.
Directed by inspirational founder Rinaldo Alessandrini, the group is now recognised as a leading interpreter of Italian early music.
In a rare UK appearance, they perform Monteverdi’s complete Third Book of Madrigals, published in 1592 while the composer worked at the Renaissance court in Mantua.
These intimate songs reveal Monteverdi boldly pushing against the limits of musical expression. Classical poetry and pastoral scenes unfold through audacious harmonies, vivid word-painting and ever-shifting moods.
Passions and torments, betrayals and yearnings emerge with striking immediacy in these a cappella part-songs, which look ahead to the operatic innovations that Monteverdi would unleash in later decades.
With scholarly authority and fiery musical passion, Concerto Italiano shines a bright light on the colours and expressive power of this milestone in Renaissance music.
Performers
Concerto Italiano
Rinaldo Alessandrini director
Repertoire
Monteverdi: Madrigals, Bk.3
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.