Featuring a cast of art dealers, impresarios, poets and shepherds, this  programme explores the influence of Italian musicians on English tradition of vocal ornamentation in the 17th century.

During the 16th and 17th centuries, music changed to allow singers to embellish the music they sung with graces or ornaments sometimes of fabulous intricacy. This recital gathers some of the most precious examples of this to take the audience on a journey through the 17th century pastoral imagination. Where nymphs, satyrs, shepherds and more face the perils of love. 

At the heart of the programme are settings of works by Florentine composer  Giulio Caccini (1551-1618) including Amarilli mia bella. We have combined these with some of the most elegant songs by  English composers such as Robert Johnson, Thomas Moreley and Nicolas Lanier, the art buyer for Charles I.  It is a beautiful and strikingly virtuosic repertoire   focused on expressing strong emotions.

Here is a video of Harry and Hannah performing  Amarilli Mia Bella: https://youtu.be/pqsnkfZHBWQ?si=HZPdDPb4HMqGSfFV

Programme:

Nicholas Lanier Qual Musico Gentil [L-BL - 63,852]

Giulio Caccini

Miserere My Maker (an english retexting of Amarilli) 

Amarilli Mia Bella [Egerton 2971]

Dolcissimo Sospiro [Egerton 2971]

Tobias Hume Pavan 

Nicholas Lanier I was not wearier [Egerton Ms. 2013]

Thomas Campion Art Thou That Shee [Christ Church Ms. 439]

Anon 

Cruda Amarilli

Ma Grideran per me piagg’e i monti [Egerton 2971]

(After Robert Johnson) Care Charming Sleep

(After Dowland) Earl of Essex (his galliard)

William Webb As Life, What Is So Sweet [Christ Church Ms. 87]

John Dowland Sleep wayward thoughts

Robert Johnson Have you seen the white lily grow?

If you would like to attend the concert at the British Institute Library, please register here or write an email to bif@britishinstitute.it  

The registration fee is 20 Euro per person. 

This concert is sponsored by Jonathan Mandelbaum