This study traces the history of the madrigal, chiefly in Italy but also in England and elsewhere in Northern Europe, touching also on the literary background to the genre. It emphasizes the musical response of composers to the words of madrigal poetry.

This study traces the history of the madrigal, chiefly in Italy but also in England and elsewhere in Northern Europe. Emphasizing the musical response of composers to the words of madrigal poetry, the book touches also on the literary background to the genre. The original version of "The Madrigal" was published in 1972, since when much detailed research has suggested new perspectives and insights. Madrigals are much more widely known, furthermore, in both scholarly and performing editions, and through recordings, concerts and broadcasts. In the process, several important but formerly neglected madrigal composers have come newly into focus. This new edition of "The Madrigal" aims to take account of all these developments, while remaining an introduction to the repertoire.