Campana: Arie A Una, Due E Tre Voci

- Francesca Campana, born in Rome around 1610, lived and worked continuously in the papal city, as expressed by the name 'Romana' that often appears next to her name. Through her marriage she became related to the famous composer Luigi Rossi, and she is known to have moved in the highest musical and cultural circles of Rome. The testimonies before the marriage attest to the vocal virtuosity and skills of Francesca Campana as a spinet player. The following recommendation letter for the Duke Francesco D’Este reveals an interesting insight into the position of a woman in musical life: “If Your Highness is inclined to have women who sing, I would propose a couple of excellent ones, and the best ones absolutely in Rome. Checca Campana is the first. She is a master in art, because she composes by herself, sings like an angel, she plays divinely the spinet; she has something of her own, she wishes to be at the service of some prince, she does not ask for anything, and would be there to serve. She is a tempered woman”.

- This Collection contains arias for one, two and three voices written in strophic form, and making ample use of chromaticism and other dramatic features, fully expressing the meaning of the text.

As interludes we hear instrumental music from the time of composition, of Neapolitan origin.

- Performed by Ricercare Antico, consisting of recorder, violin, harp, archlute, theorbo and violone, as a support to the four voices. Francesco Tomasi has the artistic direction.

A fine tribute to a female composer from the 17th century!