Emilio de Cavalieri: Rappresentatione di Anima et di Corpo (2015)

Emilio de Cavalieri's La rappresentatione di anima e di corpo (Representation of the Soul and of the Body), from the year 1600, has been called the first opera (including by Cavalieri himself) and the first oratorio. In reality, although it was part of the creative ferment that produced both genres in the early 17th century, it was neither. Something of an overgrown allegorical cantata, it was a historical dead end. The work is staged like an opera, and indeed this recording is based on a production at the Berlin Staatsoper ... Read More

Emilio de Cavalieri's La rappresentatione di anima e di corpo (Representation of the Soul and of the Body), from the year 1600, has been called the first opera (including by Cavalieri himself) and the first oratorio. In reality, although it was part of the creative ferment that produced both genres in the early 17th century, it was neither. Something of an overgrown allegorical cantata, it was a historical dead end. The work is staged like an opera, and indeed this recording is based on a production at the Berlin Staatsoper. It was recorded, however, at Berlin's Teldex Studios, which is all to the good: the chief attraction of this recording lies in the instrumental ensemble realized by director René Jacobs. Starting with a group of "foundation instruments," later to be named the continuo, Jacobs' ensemble deploys no fewer than four harps and a battery of other low instruments including the unusual ceterone, a relative of the cittern and chitarrone. The upper "ornamental instruments" include a string... Read Less

• All

• All Copies (0)
• Choose Release (1)

Currently there are no copies available. However, our inventory changes frequently. Please check back soon or try Book Fetch.

2015, Harmonia Mundi UPC: 3149020220023 CD See All