The performers chose a violin and lute duo for this album to offer an intimate view of the repertoire, allowing for spontaneity and inventiveness.
Composition History
The play "The Mad Lover" was revived in 1695 with three specially-composed musical masques by Peter Motteux, a lyricist who had worked with Henry Purcell.
Album & Artwork
The album title, "The Mad Lover," comes from a 1616 comedy by English dramatist John Fletcher, a contemporary of William Shakespeare.
Composer Biography
John Eccles, a composer featured on this album, retired from composing to focus on fishing after a disappointment with his opera Semele.
Composer Biography
John Eccles, a composer on this album, was the singing teacher of Anne Bracegirdle, a famous actress known for playing characters with mental disorders.
Instruments
Violinist Théotime Langlois de Swarte plays a Jacob Stainer violin from 1665, which is known for its ability to imitate the human voice.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The album's concept imagines an itinerant violinist and lutenist from the 18th century playing familiar pieces like preludes, sonatas, and grounds in London.
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