Zefir Records

Amarilli mia bella

La Sfera Armoniosa

This recording features delightful works by three tenors of the seventeenth century. In contrast to their modern counterparts who fill footbal stadiums by offering evergreens to the masses, their world is that of Renaissance humanist aristocracy, experimentation with new forms, and subtle musical expression of sophisticated poetry. Whilst nowadays Giulio Romolo Caccini's works, or at least his Amarilli mia bella, are reasonably well-known, the same cannot be said about his younger contemporaries Francesco Rasi and Francesco Dognazzi.

The style of these passionate solo songs with chordal accompaniment is commonly termed monody, for the invention of which Caccini (1551-1618) claimed the credit. Caccini began his musical career as a boy treble at the Capella Giulia in Rome. Later he was associated with the Medici court in Florence and attracted the patronage of Giovanni de Bardi and his associated of the Florentine Camerata, Girolamo Mei and Vincenzo Galilei. Their interest in the music of the ancients deeply influence Caccini in developing his style. Resisting several attractive offers, Caccini remained in Florence expanding his circle of pupils (including Franceso Rasi). In about 1600 Caccini began to alienate other composters such as Jacopo Peri and Emilio de Cavalieri, fighting a petty battle about the authorship of the new monodic style, i.e. speech-like declamation of the text above a single bass line. The title of Le nuove musiche (track 1,2,4 on this CD) as the first published set of monodies was meant to be provocative in this context, but Caccini’s plan backfired when the publication was delayed and was thus preceded by a few months by Domenico Maria Melli’s Musiche. However, in his preface Caccini claims that the compositions contained in his set had been written by him since the 1580s.

Nico van der Meel - tenor
Paulina van Laarhoven - viola da gamba, lirone
Mike Fentross - chitarrone, baroque guitar

external links
Visit the website of La Sfera Armoniosa
Visit the website of Nico van der Meel

press quotes:

TIJDSCHRIFT OUDE MUZIEK There is wonderful music on this CD. Nico van der Meel outdoes himself in passionate performances. Each track reaffirmed that Pauline van Laarhoven and Mike Fentross are superb musicians. 

read the full review (Dutch)

KLASSIEKE ZAKEN Nico van der Meels performing is excellent. Together with the subtle guidance of Mike Fentross and Pauline van Laarhoven, they not only create an intimate atmosphere but also honor a fascinating repertoire.

read the full review (Dutch)