Search - Strozzi, Ryden, Ensemble Musica Fiorita :: Strozzi - Cantates / Susanne Ryden

Barbara Strozzi was born in Venice in 1619, the daughter of a servant in the household of Giulio Strozzi, a leading figure in the Most Serene Republic's literary and artistic community. He later adopted her, and most commentators put two and two together to work out that he was, in all probability, her actual father. Certainly, he treated her as such, providing her both with an education (including studies with Cavalli) and artistic connections that enabled her to go on to take a leading part in the city's musical life. She joined an Academy (a group of like-minded intellectuals), sang, and composed prolifically, setting her father's words on occasion and publishing several collections of vocal pieces. She died in 1677. This selection includes several highly attractive and often witty lighter songs, together with some larger cantatas and laments. All are skillfully written and many distinctly memorable. The soloist, the Swedish soprano Susanne Ryd&eeacute;n, is best at the lighter material; the limitations of her voice and technique tend to show up more in the grander items. The playing of the accompanying group is neat and discreet. Well worth investigating. --George Hall