An Altus partbook from a set of four volumes. Contains four series of madrigals and two of motets, separately numbered. Copied by a single scribe, who also wrote CivitaBC (2). Probably copied in Florence.

Original covers of cream-coloured parchment, inscribed with voice designations; remnants of green ribbon ties

(1) crown (not in Briquet); (2) crossbow in circle, surmounted by fleur-de-lis (not in Briquet); (3) generally resembles Briquet #6098; (4) crossed arrows (not in Briquet)

black void mensural

Staff height 12-13mm

Modern pencil foliation on upper right rectos, 1-128 (ff. 3-5, 24, 28-30, 58, 61, 69, 118 now missing)

Other numberings: Original ink numbering of pieces, in six series (several partes numbered separately): i-xxx (4-voice madrigals); i-xx (5-voice madrigals); i-iiii (5-voice motets); i-iii (6-voice motets); i-iiii (6-voice madrigals); i (7-voice madrigal).

No initials or decoration, except for large calligraphic initials on front covers. Medici family emblem in initial on front cover of Tenor book.

paper

7 motets, 51 Italian secular pieces = 58*

*Series of 18th-century additions in several partbooks not taken into account here.

(Arcadelt)-12, (Arcadelt/Corteccia/G. Ponte)-1, (Corteccia)-1, (A. Ferrabosco I/Verdelot)-1, (D. Ferrabosco)-1, (C. Festa?)-1, (S. Festa)-1, (Havericq)-1, (Jaquet of Mantua/Lupus)-1, (Josquin/ Verdelot)-1, (Naich/Reulx)-1, (Nollet)-1, (Palestrina)-3, (Richafort/Verdelot)-1, (Rore)-1, (Ruffo)-1, (Verdetot)-8, anon-21

4 paper partbooks (D-iii + 120 + i folios, A-iii + 117, T-iii + 116 + i, Q/S-iii + 73 + i), 160 x 223-30. Modern pencil foliation on upper right rectos in each book—D: 1-120; A: 1-128 (ff. 3-5, 24, 28-30, 58, 61, 69, 118 now missing); T: 1-120 (ff. 45, 100, 109-110 now missing); B: 1-74 (f. 64 now missing). Original ink numbering of pieces, in six series (several partes numbered separately): i-xxx (4-voice madrigals); i-xx (5-voice madrigals); i-iiii (5-voice motets); i-iii (6-voice motets); i-iiii (6-voice madrigals); i (7-voice madrigal). Blank staves only—D: 1, 28'-40, 59'-84, 88'-92, 95'-100, 104'-118, 119'-120'; A: 1, 65'-66, 92-95, 99'-103, 106'-109, 113'-114, 115-117', 124-126, 127'-128'; T: 1, 30'-40, 60'-84, 88'-92, 95'-98, 103'-118, 119'-120'; Q/S: 1, 20'-42, 46'-50, 55'-59, 65'-71, 72'-74'. Original covers of cream-colored parchment, inscribed with voice designations; remnants of green ribbon ties. No index. Copied by a single scribe, who also wrote CivitaBC (2). Staff height 12-13. No initials or decoration, except for large calligraphic initials on front covers. Medici family emblem in initial on front cover of T book. Watermarks: (1) crown (not in Briquet); (2) crossbow in circle, surmounted by fleur-de-lis (not in Briquet); (3) generally resembles Briquet #6098; (4) crossed arrows (not in Briquet).

Ca. 1555-60, with additions in 18th century. Probably copied in Florence.