MADRIGALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 194, 18 August 1931, Page 17

MADRIGALS.

A lecture on "Madrigals" was given to members of the Auckland Piano Students' Association last evening by Mr. Tracy Moresby. He traced their history from their earliest form—the plain song of extreme antiquity founded upon the Greek modes—to tlie glee of the 18th century. and illustrated his address with a number of gramophone records. A noticeable characteristic of the early madrigals was that they were written in triple time, the duple time being used later in the 13th century. The ICth century, with its knowledge of counterpoint and polyphony, saw the end of the modal system. Later forms of the madrigals were the canzonetta, ayre and ballet, after which came the glee. Examples given included madrigals in praise of Queen Elizabeth (Oriana). one in commemoration of Agincourt and others from the writings of Dunstable. Jasquin Dupre, Wythorne, inomas Weelkes and Orlando Gibbons. The orißin of the term "madrigal" is somewhat obscure, but it is generally agreed that it comes from the Italian verse-form ot that name.