Rosanna Scalfi Marcello's cantatas follow Baroque conventions, featuring two arias with contrasting tempi, separated by a recitative that explains the singer's change of mood.
Interpretation
In this recording, the harpsichordist and lutenist improvise harmonies for the basso continuo, and the countertenor, Darryl Taylor, enhances the vocal line with ornamentation, departing from the written notes for musical expression and virtuosity.
Composition History
Rosanna Scalfi Marcello's cantatas were copied into her collection between 1728 and 1739, as indicated by the title page which identifies her as 'wife of His Excellency, the noble Benedetto Marcello'.
Composer Biography
Rosanna Scalfi Marcello married Benedetto Marcello in a secret religious ceremony in 1728, and his brothers later prevented her from inheriting his property because the marriage was not civilly recorded.
Composer Biography
Rosanna Scalfi Marcello's only surviving works were initially miscatalogued under her husband Benedetto Marcello's name, and her authorship was only validated through later scholarship.
Performer Biography
Darryl Taylor, the countertenor on this album, is the founder of the African American Art Song Alliance and has performed in operas, oratorios, and art song, including the title role in Philip Glass's Akhnaten.
Composer Biography
Rosanna Scalfi Marcello, a woman of humble origins with no formal musical training, was discovered by Benedetto Marcello, a Venetian nobleman, who was impressed by her singing voice and took her on as his private student.
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