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Today Donald Macleod plays us a selection of music from Monteverdi's superb Eighth Book of Madrigals, '...Of War and Love'. It contains some of the most dramatic music the world had ever heard.

Monteverdi was not universally loved, and in 1637 became embroiled in an unpleasant incident with a singer who had slandered him in public. The protracted court proceeding were eventually concluded to his satisfaction; it must have been a relief to turn to the publication of his Eighth Book of Madrigals, which shows off his superb dramatic style of vocal writing. Sensuous, martial, erotic, mournful, witty, these pieces are incredibly expressive and require real vocal agility and acting skills from the performers.

At the grand old age of 76, Monteverdi went on a tour of Lombardy, which was something of a triumph. However, it seems to have worn the old man out, and he died shortly after returning to Venice. He is buried in the Lombard Chapel of the beautiful Frari church, where a plain marble slab marks his final resting place.

We'll conclude the week, tomorrow and Friday, by looking at Monteverdi's last great operatic masterpieces - The Return of Ulysses to his Homeland, and The Coronation of Poppea.