Duetti Da Camera
Douban
overview
The name of Baroque composer Agostino Steffani (1654 – 1728) has been much in the air recently, and we have taken this opportunity to revive an Archiv Produktion classic from the early 1980s. It features four young Early Music soloists led by Alan Curtis, who in more recent years was behind a whole series of well-received recordings of Handel operas on the label.
In a variety of combinations the four soloists – two sopranos and two tenors - present eight charming chamber duets (duetti da camera) by Steffani to the accompaniment of harpsichord and cello. They range from amorous laments to amorous rejoicings, ending with a plea for liberty from love’s bonds.
With its new attractive cover, the CD booklet has a full introduction to Steffani and his works, the texts are presented in the original Italian with English translation.
tracks
AGOSTINO STEFFANI Duetti da camera
1. Tu m’aspettasti al mare 7:47
(Daniela Mazzucato • John Elwes)
2. M’hai da piangere un dì 5:48
(Carolyn Watkinson • Paul Esswood)
3. Io voglio provar 6:05
(Daniela Mazzucato • John Elwes)
4. Placidissime catene 7:17
(Carolyn Watkinson • Paul Esswood)
5. Già tu parti 4:35
(Carolyn Watkinson • Paul Esswood)
6. E perché non m’uccidete 9:15
(Daniela Mazzucato • John Elwes)
7. No, no, no, non voglio se devo amare 4:49
(Paul Esswood • John Elwes)
8. Libertà! Libertà! 9:14
(Daniela Mazzucato • Carolyn Watkinson)