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Ceruleo celebrate the music of Barbara Strozzi, one of the greatest composers of the 17th century, and the most published composer of secular song of her time. Her distinctive style is characterised by virtuosic vocal lines, sophisticated interplay between voices and accompaniment, and a dramatic approach to text setting that went above and beyond that of her influences Claudio Monteverdi and Francesco Cavalli. This is music of passion and desire; for love – both in general and in the specific form of another person – but also a longing for an answer to life’s questions or for relief from life’s burdens. With two sopranos, viola da gamba, harpsichord and lute, Ceruleo bring to life the music of this extraordinary composer, combining a selection of her finest works with instrumental pieces by her contemporaries.

^{Ceruleo | Barbara Strozzi: ‘Begl’occhi, bel seno, bei crini, e bella bocca’, Op. 2 No. 2}

Barbara Strozzi made her name as both a performer and composer in the semi-private spaces of the accademie of 17th-century Venice, meetings of the intelligentsia to discuss and perform music, poetry and art. Described as the virtuosissima cantatrice (‘most virtuosic singer’) she was to become the most published composer of secular song of her time.

Her distinctive style is characterised by virtuosic vocal lines, sophisticated interplay between voice(s) and basso continuo accompaniment. With this programme, Ceruleo bring to life the music of this extraordinary composer with two singers and three instrumentalists, combining a selection of her finest works with instrumental pieces by her contemporaries.

^{Ceruleo | Barbara Strozzi: ‘I baci’, Op. 2 No. 23}

TRACK LIST
Strozzi ‘Sonetto proemio dell’opera’, Op. 1 No. 1
‘La riamata da chi amava’, Op. 2 No. 18
Frescobaldi Canzona quinta detta la Tromboncina, F8.06a
Strozzi ‘Begl’occhi, bel seno, bei crini, e bella bocca’, Op. 2 No. 2
‘Desideri vani’, Op. 3 No. 11
Merula Toccata del secondo tono
Strozzi ‘Che si può fare’, Op. 8 No. 6
Piccinini Partite variate sopra quest’aria Francese detta l'Alemana
Strozzi ‘L’Amante segreto’, Op. 2 No. 16
Merula ‘La bianca’, Op. 12 No. 11
Strozzi ‘I baci’, Op. 2 No. 23
‘La sol, fà, mi, rè, dò’, Op. 2 No. 25
Marini ‘Gagliarda a2 La caotorta’, Op. 1 No. 25
Strozzi ‘Amante ravveduto’, Op. 6 No. 14
‘Begli occhi’, Op. 3 No. 9

Released on 13 December 2024, Ceruleo’s album is available to purchase on their website, and to stream on major platforms. For details of the ensemble’s upcoming performances, visit their Continuo Connect profile page.