The Calmus Ensemble presents madrigals of the 16th and 17th centuries on this CD, which includes masterpieces by Gibbons, Flecha, Monteverdi, Gesualdo and Josquin des Prés. This CD initiates a larger series of recordings featuring the Calmus Ensemble: in the coming years they will record various madrigal programmes dealing with the different emotions. "Madrigals of Madness" marks the start of this undertaking, and takes as its theme, as the title indicates, the subject of madness, as it is encountered in love, war or loneliness – this is a complex theme which Calmus expresses masterfully and convincingly with high emotionality. The CD booklet expands the musical exploration of this theme from a medical point of view through an interview with a psychiatrist. A most interesting CD.