In opera, the 'taille' voice was often chosen for weakened or threatening characters, while in sacred music, composers gave this register a key place.
Composer Biography
Jean-Baptiste Matho, to whom this recording is dedicated, was a former page and faithful friend of Henry Desmarest, a renowned voice teacher, composer, and official singer at the Chapelle royale.
Interpretation
The album highlights the 'taille' voice, the tenor's middle register, which is often less represented in the repertoire compared to counter-tenor or bass.
Album & Artwork
This album is dedicated to Jean-Baptiste Matho, a renowned voice teacher, composer, and singer at the Chapelle royale during Louis XIV's reign, whose imaginary library the album evokes.
Composition History
André Campra's motet 'Quis ego Domine' was published for a counter-tenor voice but is performed here in a Swedish transcription for tenor (taille), transposed a third lower.
Recording & Production
The album was recorded in the Chapel of the private Lycée Sainte Geneviève in Versailles between October 30 and November 3, 2017.
Instruments
The recording features a violin by David Ayache (2004) modeled after Nicolo Amati, and another by Pierre Jaquier (1991) copied from Andrea Amati.
