La virtuosissima cantatrice (Virtuoso & Bel canto Masterpieces for Female Voice)

Featuring

Linda Hirst
John Wilbraham
Martindale Sidwell
Suzie LeBlanc
Deborah Roberts
Tessa Bonner

Jennie Cassidy
Caroline Trevor
Mark Padmore
Musica Secreta
Musica Antiqua of London
The Rose Consort of Viols
The Clarion Ensemble
St. Clement Concert Choir
George Frideric Handel
Luzzasco Luzzaschi
William Cornysh
John Dowland
Alessandro Scarlatti
Pierre Certon
Barbara Strozzi
Claudin de Sermisy
Henry Purcell
Johannes Brahms

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Composer Biography

Luzzasco Luzzaschi, a composer featured on this album, was the principal musician and chief court composer at the court of Ferrara, responsible for all music making.

Recording & Production

The recordings on this album were made at various locations including Finchcocks in Kent, Forde Abbey in Dorset, and St Clement Danes in London, between 1985 and 1992.

Historical Context

The Duke of Ferrara, Alfonso II, was so obsessed with soprano voices that he established the finest singers of the time as well-paid professionals in his court, whose performances were reserved for his 'musica secreta' or secret music.

Recording & Production

The album features a cover illustration of "Venus and the Graces" by Botticelli, with artwork by Genny Lucena.

Composition History

Luzzaschi's Madrigali a uno, due e tre soprani of 1601 represents the sole surviving publication of music for the famed singing ladies (concerto delle donne) of Ferrara.

Recording & Production

This album is a compilation of recordings taken from several different albums released by Saydisc and Amon Ra Records.

Instruments

The baroque trumpet heard on this recording is a 'natural' instrument, rather than the finger-holed trumpet developed during the 1960s, to represent the relationship between man and nature.