The tradition continues today, when concern about climate change, a subject we've discussed here and here, is rallying environmentalists.... 1451, Queen Isabella I, responsible both for the voyages to America of Christopher Columbus and the Spanish Inquisition, was born in Madrigal de las Altas Torres, Spain. [read post]

  I can't claim that they have gathered a collection of rarities, since the contents include many of the most popular and frequently recorded madrigals of the 16th century, but this collection is notable for the breadth of coverage -- virtually all the important 16th century composers of England, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and the Low Countries seem to be included. [read post]