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Bread and circuses: Rome

Donald Macleod looks at how Pope Urban VIII’s reign fostered a vibrant period of music in Rome in the early 17th century.

Girolamo Frescobaldi established the keyboard style that would dominate Europe in the Baroque era. His life throws a light on the nepotism and patronage at the heart of Italy in the 17th century, and how it created extraordinary music and spectacle.... breaking the bank in the process.

Donald Macleod and his guest Robert Quinney, Director of the Choir of New College, Oxford, explore Frescobaldi's story alongside some of the other great musicians of his time, who fell into his orbit.

Today, Donald and Robert look at how Pope Urban VIII’s reign fostered a vibrant period of music in Rome in the early 17th century.

Toccata no. 10 in D Minor
E. Power Biggs, organ

Stefano Landi: La morte d'Orfeo, Op. 2:
Act I Scene 1: Teti, del mar regina (Teti, Fato)
Act II Scene 2: Tu lieto canti, Orfeo, e il tempo vola (Ebro, Orfeo)
John Elwes, tenor (Orfeo)
Harry van der Kamp, bass (Ebro)
David Cordier, countertenor (Teti)
Lieven Deroo, bass (Fato)
Tragicomedia
Stephen Stubbs, director

Arie musicali
Book 2: No. 19. Vanne, o carta amorosa
Book 2: No. 18. Ti lascio, anima mia
Concerto Italiano
Rinaldo Alessandrini, director

Jacques Arcadelt: Madrigali, Book 1: Ahime, dov'è'l bel viso: Madrigali, Book 1: Ancidetemi pur, grievi martiri
Cappella Mediterranea
Leonardo García Alarcón, director

Toccate, canzone, versi d'hinni, Magnificat, gagliarde, correnti, Book 2: Ancidetemi pur d'Archadelt passeggiato
Roberto Loreggian, harpsichord

Johann Hieronymous Kapsberger: I pastori di Bettelemme (excerpt):
Constanze Backes, soprano
Chiyuki Okamura, soprano
Franz Vitzthum, countertenor
Clementine Jesdinsky, soprano
Christian Dietz, tenor
Markus Flaig, bass
Echo du Danube Ensemble

Arie musicali per cantarsi, Book 1: Così mi disprezzate (Aria di passacaglia)
Mariana Flores, soprano
Ensemble Clematis
Leonardo Garcia-Alarcon, director

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Girolamo Frescobaldi

    Toccata No 10 in d minor

    Performer: E. Power Biggs.
    • SONY : G0100012223275.
    • SONY.
    • 26.
  • Stefano Landi

    La morte d'Orfeo (excerpts)

    Performer: Stephen Stubbs. Singer: David Cordier. Singer: Lieven Deroo. Singer: John Elwes. Singer: Harry van der Kamp. Ensemble: Tragicomedia.
    • ACCENT : ACC 30046.
    • ACCENT.
    • 1.
  • Girolamo Frescobaldi

    Vanne, o carta amorosa

    Ensemble: Concerto Italiano.
    • OPUS : OPS-30-10-5106.
    • OPUS.
    • 1.
  • Girolamo Frescobaldi

    Ben veggio, donna, homai

    Performer: Rinaldo Alessandrini. Ensemble: Concerto Italiano.
    • OPUS : OPS-30-10-5106.
    • OPUS.
    • 1.
  • Jacques Arcadelt

    Ancidetemi pur, grievi martiri

    Ensemble: Cappella Mediterranea. Conductor: Leonardo García Alarcón.
    • RICERCAR : RIC-392.
    • RICERCAR.
    • 20.
  • Girolamo Frescobaldi

    Ancidetemi pur d'Archadelt passeggiato

    Performer: Roberto Loreggian.
    • BRILLIANT CLASSICS : 96895.
    • BRILLIANT CLASSICS.
  • Johannes Hieronymus Kapsberger

    I pastori di Bettelemme (excerpt)

    Performer: Clementine Jesdinsky. Performer: Christian Dietz. Performer: Markus Flaig. Singer: Constanze Backes. Singer: Chiyuki Urano. Singer: Franz Vitzthum. Ensemble: Echo du Danube.
    • ACCENT : ACC-24231.
    • Accent.
    • 3.
  • Girolamo Frescobaldi

    Così mi disprezzate (Aria di passacaglia)

    Ensemble: Clematis Ensemble.

Broadcast

  • Thu 21 Sep 2023 12:00

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