The Chester Books of Madrigals offer an exciting collection of secular European madrigals, partsongs and rounds from the 16th and early 17th centuries, newly edited from early sources by Anthony G. Petti, who contributes copious historical notes to each volume. The majority of the settings are for SATB and simplified keyboard reductions. Texts are in the original languages, with an English translation (for non-English texts) provided at the head of each piece. Contents: Il Bianco E Dolce Signo (Arcadelt) · Audite Novea (Lassus) · Contrapunto Bestiale (Banchieri) · Der Gutzgauch (Lemlin) · Dolcissimo Usignolo (Monteverdi) · El Grillo (Des Prez) · Il Est Bel Et Bon (Passereau) · Petite Importune Mouche (Le Jeune) · Rounds from Pammelia (Ravenscroft) · The Ape, The Monkey and Baboon (Weelkes) · The Silver Swan (Gibbons) · The Three Ravens (Ravenscroft) · Une Puce (Le Jeune)