Ronald James Alexander (1961-1990) received a Master of Music Degree at the University of California at Davis, and, at the time of his death, was enrolled in the Ph.D. program in musicology at Stanford University. An avid sports enthusiast and versatile musician, he studied classical guitar and lute at California State University at Sacramento.Guitarist and lutist Richard Savino is active as featured performer, concerto soloist, and accompanist. His recordings include a collection of monodies by Barbara Strozzi with soprano Emanuela Galli and Ensemble Gallilei (Stradivarius, Milano). He is presently Professor of Music at the California State University at Sacramento.

"A useful book and good value."--Early Music Review, 104, December 2004

• Preliminary Table of Contents:PrefaceI. Overview and CommentaryIntroduction: Francesca Caccini (1587-ca. 1640)Il primo libro delle musicheThe Present EditionPerformance PracticeAccompanimentOrnamentationTextual Commentary and TranslationsNotesBibliographyII. The Secular Monodies of Il primo libro delle musiche [1]Ardo infelice, e palesar non tento[2]Io mi distruggo, et ardo[3]Lasciatemi qui solo[4]Io veggio i campi verdeggiar fecondi[5]La pastorella mia tra i fiori, è 'l giglio[6]Rendi alle mie speranze il verde, e i fiori[7] Dov'io credea le mie speranze vere[8]S'io men vò, morirò[9]Non sò se quel sorriso[10] Chi desia di saper che cosa è Amore[11] Che t'ho fatt'io?[12] O vive rose[13] Se muove a giurar fede[14] Ch'Amor sia nudo, e pur con l'ali al tergo[15] Fresche aurette[16] Dispiegate[17] O chiome belle