Handel's cantatas were primarily composed during his youth, between 1706 and 1723, as he traveled through Europe.
Composition History
Handel largely stopped composing cantatas after moving into his own home in London in 1723, shifting his focus to opera, which was the most prestigious genre at the time.
Critical Reception
Handel's cantatas remained largely unexplored for centuries because he never published them, and only in the last 50 years has scholarly research revealed their significance.
Historical Context
Cantatas, which were miniature dramatic works, were sometimes used by wealthy patrons in Rome to circumvent the papal ban on opera.
Historical Context
During his early career, Handel relied on aristocratic support from patrons like the Medici court, Roman cardinals, and the Marquis Ruspoli, who hosted the Arcadian Academy.
Album & Artwork
The album title 'Un'alma innamorata' (A Soul in Love) is a pun on Handel's name, suggesting 'I'm in love…and I must handle it'.
Composition History
The cantata 'Un'alma innamorata' was written in June 1707 for a performance at Vignanello, the country palace of Marchese Ruspoli, a prominent patron.
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