L'EsaEnsemble is an Italian vocal group founded in 1996, composed of six female singers, dedicated to exploring new or little-known repertoires.
Compositional Technique
The "Scherzi Musicali" include 17 strophic songs by Claudio Monteverdi and a concluding ballet, with the last two songs composed by his brother, Giulio Cesare Monteverdi.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The "Scherzi Musicali" adhere to the rules of the "Seconda Prattica," a new polyphonic technique emphasizing innovative dissonance, original concertation, and the dramatic power of the lyrics.
Interpretation
L'EsaEnsemble and the instrumentalists imagine the performance context as a group of ladies and court musicians, with varying skill levels, playing from a single large-format volume.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Claudio Monteverdi intended to explore formal, melodic, harmonic, and instrumental novelties, using an innovative yet recognizable language in his compositions.
Composition History
Claudio Monteverdi's "Scherzi Musicali" were published in 1607, compiled by his brother Giulio Cesare Monteverdi, and dedicated to Don Francesco Gonzaga, Prince of Mantua.
Recording & Production
The recording aims for a live effect, performed at different times with various instrumentalists, as if reading from a single part, capturing the full color of the period's 'played' music.
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