In the seventeenth century, amid the backdrop of political turmoil in Naples, an interesting piece of music emerged known as "Lamento di Marinetta, moglie di Massaniello." This anonymous cantata, composed in the recitativo style with a text by Francesco Melosio, centers on the widow of Massaniello, a Neapolitan fishmonger who briefly led a 1647 anti-Spanish revolt.

The emergence of the love letter in music can be traced back to the development of monody, a vocal style characterized by a single vocal melody accompanied by a simple basso continuo, allowing for greater expressive freedom and highlighting the importance of text.

In seventeenth-century Rome, Holy Week witnessed the full variety of musical expression, from chant through polyphony to monody. The settings of the Lamentations of Jeremiah for performance during Holy Week were widely diffused throughout the Seicento, which saw the diffusion of the repertory at the height of the Catholic Reformation.

The British Library Egerton MS 2971 is a important source for ornate versions of early seventeenth-century Italian and English songs and pieces for lyra viol. It contains thirteen highly ornamented settings, some of which are unique, while others are known in simpler versions.

The British Library Add. MS 11608 is one of the largest and most important sources of mid-seventeenth-century English songs, particularly for the details it provides on vocal ornamentation, comprising over seventy songs and dialogues, as well as 3-part catches, compiled between 1652 and 1660.

During the 17th century, many composers turned to the theme of the Virgin Mary, seeking to praise her or depict her sorrow at Christ's crucifixion in their works. Some of these compositions were particularly focused on portraying her grief and desperation in a powerful and moving way.

Mary Magdalene is a prominent figure in devotional literature, inspiring a multitude of writers, thinkers, believers, and artists due to the multifaceted nature of her personality and the manifold distinctive features she embodies.

Women have made significant contributions to music throughout history, and the Baroque era is no exception.

In the 17th century, English mad songs were a popular form of music that combined elements of poetry, drama, and music to create a powerful emotional experience.

Lamento is a musical genre that emerged in Italy in the early 17th century, during the transition from the Renaissance to the Baroque period.