Musical manuscripts of the era provided only a basic framework, requiring vocalists like Anna Renzi to improvise and add their own embellishments.
Performer Biography
Roberta Invernizzi, the soprano on this album, is highly acclaimed for her specialization in baroque and classical repertoire and is considered a reference for baroque vocal technique.
Recording & Production
The Sezione Aurea ensemble, featured on this album, often performs first-ever modern recordings of works, particularly from the Emilia Romagna area of central Italy.
Composer Biography
Filiberto Laurenzi, who composed music for this album, was Anna Renzi's alleged teacher and she debuted in one of his operas in Rome in 1640.
Cultural Impact
Anna Renzi is considered the prototype of the 'absolute primadonna' or 'singer-actress' in early opera, differing from the previous model of an 'actress-singer'.
Compositional Technique
Anna Renzi's vocal range spanned nearly two octaves, from middle C to high B-flat, and she was capable of performing sudden leaps of various intervals.
Historical Context
In the 17th century, women in theater, including singers like Anna Renzi, were often stereotyped as 'loose females' or 'courtesans'.
You might also enjoy...
Fra l'ombre e gl'orrori
The Handel Album
Monteverdi: I 7 peccati capitali
Forgotten Arias
Porpora: Arie d'Opera
Facce d'amore
Cieco Amor - Opera Arias Written for Giuseppe Maria Boschi
