By the middle of the 17th century, Naples was still a Spanish city. It was undergoing a particularly important artistic and musical development which would last until the creation of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and the choice of Naples as its capital. A cultural melting pot attracting artists from all over Europe. • Cristofaro Caresana (1640-1709), a singer, organist and composer born in Venice was one of them. At the height of his career he was the choirmaster of the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro and was one of the most prolific composers of his generation and era. This new recording presents unpublished Cantatas for soprano and basso continuo on secular texts, consisting of a recitativo and aria. The themes are often pastoral, amorous and slightly melancholy, but also playful and witty, the music a perfect expression of the text. • Juliette de Banes Gardonne is one of the most talented mezzo sopranos of her generation. Apart from her opera career she specializes in Baroque music, and founded her ensembe Démesure to explore the “trésors du Baroque napolitain”, an ongoing project delving in the rich heritage of the Neapolitan School.
Works:
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Caresana: Il Narciso
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Caresana: La dove il bel Sebeto
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Caresana: La rosa
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Caresana: Nella stagion novella
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Caresana: Tancredi sulla morte di Clorinda
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Caresana: Viver senza speranza
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Caresana: Volevo un di combattere