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Hushed violins and teardrop-like notes from an archlute evoked the “reign of tears” into which Eurydice has been thrust in Antonio Sarto’s “L’Orfeo,” one of several Venetian rarities from which the splendid period-instrument ensemble Il Pomo d’Oro presented love scenes for a Valentine’s Day program at Zankel Hall.

Some cares were indeed eased by the music of John Dowland and Robert Johnson, with Mr. Dunford playing archlute and Mr. Cohen, harpsichord and positive organ.

Johnnie took up a chitarrone, the archlute, a large, double-necked Spanish instrument, which lay upon a marble table by his side in the courtyard.

In concerti grossi by Handel and Geminiani, a little symphony by William Boyce, and a generous sampling of arias by Handel, Gasparini, Caldara, and Vivaldi, the 14 string players used scarcely any vibrato on their period instruments, while contributions from their colleagues on two flutes, bassoon, archlute and harpsichord added variety to their cleanly projected tone.

A fine reproduction of Lady Mary Sidney and her archlute faces the title-page of the book.