Godi

Alessandro Stradella was the undisputed star composer of his day who wrote hundreds of works in varying genres. His cantatas are in essence miniature operas in which the themes of love and the complexities of the human condition reflected the composer’s own ‘cloak and dagger’ misadventures amidst Roman and Venetian aristocracy. From an allegory of life in Apre l’uomo infelice and captivating pastoral scenes in Qui dove fa soggiorno, to unrequited love and the desire for freedom expressed in Per tua vaga beltade, Stradella adapted his inventiveness to his patrons’ tastes to create these veritable jewels in music, all of which are rich in splendid melodies and refined artistry.

The Accademia Arcadia was flourishing in Rome at the time Andrea Stefano Fiorè, one of Italy’s true child prodigies, was there. The wide variety of stylistic influences and superlative quality of his cantatas, from lyrical simplicity to daring harmonic experiment, are confirmation of Fiorè’s uniquely poetic talent. Giovanni Antonio Giay succeeded Fiorè in service at the royal court in Turin, and these world première recordings together reveal musical treasure of great value, sublimely documenting the extraordinary musical sensitivity of these rarely heard composers.

The Accademia Arcadia was flourishing in Rome at the time Andrea Stefano Fiorè, one of Italy’s true child prodigies, was there. The wide variety of stylistic influences and superlative quality of his cantatas, from lyrical simplicity to daring harmonic experiment, are confirmation of Fiorè’s uniquely poetic talent. Giovanni Antonio Giay succeeded Fiorè in service at the royal court in Turin, and these world première recordings together reveal musical treasure of great value, sublimely documenting the extraordinary musical sensitivity of these rarely heard composers.

Cornelis Schuyt is the greatest musician ever to come from Leiden and for much of his life was organist at St. Peter’s church there. He made an extensive trip to Italy and wrote text in Italian in his First Book of Madrigals, published in 1600. The second collection was published in 1611.