The Gesualdo Six begins in the early stages of the development of the madrigal (a secular song which places equal importance on both poetry and music), with works from Renaissance Italy. Inspired by the success of this form, composers in England took on the madrigal and created their own responses, lead by master Thomas Weelkes. This programme also highlights modern settings in the madrigal style by György Ligeti, Judith Weir and Sarah Rimkus.