IDAGIO | Vidi Speciosam - A Lady Mass from the 16th Century 886446906249

Featuring

Katharina Bäuml
Capella de la Torre
Tiburtina Ensemble
Augustine Bassano
Tomás Luis de Victoria
Anonymous (Gregorian Chant)

Francisco de la Torre

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Compositional Technique

Due to the inability of female singers to reach tenor or bass parts, instruments were used to supplement missing voices in convent performances, a practice that was documented.

Historical Context

In Spain, reed instruments like the bajón (bass bassoon) were commonly used in convent chapel services, with records showing nuns being taught to play them.

Interpretation

This recording reconstructs the sound of a Marian Mass in a Spanish convent from the late 16th century, combining women's voices for plainchant with polyphonic works featuring voices and instruments.

Historical Context

Public performances by nuns sometimes became so popular that bishops banned them, accusing the nuns of 'worldly vanity'.

Historical Context

In 1584, Ascanio Trombetti, a composer, taught trombone at San Lorenzo's Convent in Bologna until a ban was enacted.

Historical Context

In many convents of the early modern period, music played a more central role than Church authorities deemed appropriate, as evidenced by Inquisition records.

Historical Context

Wealthy convents often housed daughters of high-ranking families who were musically literate and had few duties beyond chapel services, leading to interest in performing contemporary polyphonic music.