The blurb on the jacket says, 'Indispensable', and this is hardly an exaggeration. A complete Book 8 would be enough to whet any Monteverdian's appetite; but fortunately, completeness isn't the only reason to hail the new arrival.
Jacobs's well-rounded team of singers is perhaps most effective in the large ensembles, which have a festive opulence about them, while allowing the necessary shadings to come into play: such things as the opening of 'Hor che'l ciel' and 'Ardo, avvampo' are admirably done, the one suitably mysterious and opaque, the other happily (but convincingly) chaotic. And with one or two exceptions the soloists acquit themselves handsomely, too: Bernarda Fink's title-role in the Lamento della ninfa is very affecting – one of the high-points of the set.
Jacobs's deployment of instruments, even on the continuo, is measured – even sparing, by his standards – but rich enough to evoke the splendid courtly entertainments for which these pieces were conceived. The instrumentalists are perhaps too easily overlooked in this repertoire: they don't draw attention to themselves here, but sound very solid and grounded.
Jacobs's feeling for the music's dramatic qualities is keen, and unsurprisingly encompasses the largest pieces, the 'one-act' operas Il-ballo delleingrate and Combattimento di Tancredi e Clorinda.
For these, some may prefer Concerto Italiano's recording, which includes both pieces on a single disc, but Jacobs's less wilful readings are still most involving. By any objective criteria, Jacobs has pulled it off. So if you're looking for a single recording, this is a natural first choice.

A thrilling set.