FERRARI: Madrigali e Canzonette

Ensemble Incantato, Mona Spägele, Mona

CPO 999722

Mona Spägele alloys delicate, pliable, luminous soprano tones that rise to expressive intensity (Stereoplay 5 / 98). Mona Spägele received a flood of such consistently positive press reviews and an Echo Award for the best chamber music recording in 1999 for her last cpo release with arias, cantatas and arias by Barbara Strozzi (CD 1834604). Now the outstanding soprano in the field of early music, together with her Bremen ensemble Incantato, gives an insight into the work of Benedetto Ferrari (1603 / 04-1681). The Reggio Emilia-born composer and theorbo player, bandmaster and impresario, poet and librettist, unfortunately only three volumes of Musiche varie have survived from his entire oeuvre, in addition to an oratorio, from which the compositions of the present recording are also taken. Accompanied by chitarrone, lirone or viola da gamba and harpsichord or organ, Mona Spägele interprets madrigals and canzonettas by Ferrari, who wrote most of the texts himself. Ferrari carefully chose the title Musiche varie for the collection of his secular vocal works, since they encompass an immensely broad spectrum of textual genres and musical forms. Free pieces with continuous syllabic declamation in recitative style stand next to texts set to music in the form of strophic songs. Versatile and intense settings!

CD x 1

CPO

11/5/04

761203972227