Macque was a prolific madrigalist, who published 12 separate books of madrigals, although the numbering is confusing: for example the "Primo libro de madrigali", for six voices, dates from 1576 in Venice, while another "Primo libro de madrigali", for four voices, dates from 1587. After 1585, when he moved to Naples, his music shifted from the conservative Roman style to the more progressive Neapolitan one; perhaps he began renumbering his publications based on his stylistic change. His early and late madrigals include both light and serious music and often require virtuoso singing skill; likely some of these pieces were intended for performance by the "concerto di donne", the three virtuoso female singers at the ducal Este court at Ferrara, which had a strong musical connection with Naples throughout the 1590s.