Laura Catrani delivers an enthralling rendition with Virtuosissima Sirena, a captivating album that brings to life the groundbreaking compositions of 17th-century Venetian revolutionary Barbara Strozzi.
The double bill is interspersed with effervescent trio sonatas by Legrenzi and Castello, which add a luscious dimension to the performances. The lineup of Accademia dell'Annunciata - comprising two violins, cello, theorbo, double harp, and harpsichord - lends an enchanting sweetness to the music that is both sumptuous and captivating.
Catrani's voice takes center stage as she effortlessly navigates Strozzi's musical lexicon. Her unfussy yet emotive delivery brings depth and nuance to tracks such as L'Amante Segreto, a poignant lament over a melancholy ground bass, and Costume de Grande, an exuberant showcase of her vocal agility in the composer's satirical take on high society.
Under Riccardo Doni's skilled direction, the music is allowed to breathe, revealing itself with clarity. The result is a captivating album that showcases Strozzi's remarkable talent as a composer and highlights the enduring appeal of her groundbreaking work.
The double bill is interspersed with effervescent trio sonatas by Legrenzi and Castello, which add a luscious dimension to the performances. The lineup of Accademia dell'Annunciata - comprising two violins, cello, theorbo, double harp, and harpsichord - lends an enchanting sweetness to the music that is both sumptuous and captivating.
Catrani's voice takes center stage as she effortlessly navigates Strozzi's musical lexicon. Her unfussy yet emotive delivery brings depth and nuance to tracks such as L'Amante Segreto, a poignant lament over a melancholy ground bass, and Costume de Grande, an exuberant showcase of her vocal agility in the composer's satirical take on high society.
Under Riccardo Doni's skilled direction, the music is allowed to breathe, revealing itself with clarity. The result is a captivating album that showcases Strozzi's remarkable talent as a composer and highlights the enduring appeal of her groundbreaking work.
! i mean, 17th-century venetian revolutionary barbara strozzi? that's some serious history and talent packed into those compositions 
. laura catrani's got some serious pipes on her, too - i love how she brings out the emotions in those songs without getting too fancy about it. and can we talk about the lineup for a sec? accademia dell'annunciata is like a dream team of instruments 
. overall, this album sounds like a must-listen for anyone who loves classical music or just wants to discover some new genius 
I swear, it feels like every single classical album is just a rehashing of old stuff. And don't even get me started on how long it takes to figure out what's going on - I mean, who knew there were so many different instruments? 
I'm over here trying to listen to this Virtuosissima Sirena thingy and my brain is all like "wait, what's the harpsichord doing again?" 
. I love how the Accademia dell'Annunciata adds this lush sweetness to the performances, it's like they're singing along with Catrani 
. and Riccardo Doni's direction is just perfect, he lets the music shine without holding back 
. virtuosissima sirena is literally my new fave album, i need more of this in my life 
! Barbara Strozzi was like a genius of music back in the day, but you can tell why she's still relevant now - that voice is stunning 
. And the way the ensemble came together with the trio sonatas by Legrenzi and Castello... it's like a party in your ears 
! The fact that they let the music breathe without any frills or extra nonsense really made it shine through. I love how Catrani just owns every single note she sings, no fuss, no drama 
. This album is proof that some things truly never go out of style...
Accademia dell'Annunciata just adds this extra layer of depth to the music that makes it feel so rich and decadent 
. I also love how Riccardo Doni lets them shine without overdoing it, you know? It's like a perfectly balanced cup of tea 
️ - not too much, not too little, just right.
. A double bill with Legrenzi and Castello is just a fancy way of saying "a bunch of old songs played by some rich people". And what's up with the harpsichord? It's like they're trying to recreate history or something 
. I mean, I'm sure Laura Catrani's voice is nice and all, but it's not like she's breaking any new ground here... just more of the same old stuff