La Donna Musicale’s newest CD departs from the sacred theme of our previous releases as we explore the decidedly secular contribution of Parisian women to the French Baroque and Rococo genres of the airs sérieux and airs à boire (serious and drinking songs). These song forms celebrate passionate longing and dissolute intoxication. Julie Pinel (fl. 1737) is our featured composer, and we include several selections from her 1737 publication Nouveau recueil d’airs. Music composed by unknown Parisian women and by Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre is included as well. This CD recreates the luxuriant environment of an intimate Parisian salon, replete with the sounds of voices in solo, duo, and trio settings, with flute accompaniment and supported by the captivating tones of the theorbo, baroque harp, harpsichord, and viola da gamba.
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Historical Background
by Catherine Gordon-Seifert, Ph.D. (PDF)
Program Notes
by Laury Gutiérrez (PDF)
CD Contents:
Track and performer listings (PDF)
Performers
Sherezade Panthaki, Yulia Van Doren, sopranos; Lydia H. Knutson, Daniela Tosic, mezzo-sopranos; Aaron Sheehan, tenor; David Olsen, bass; Justin Godoy, recorder; Na'ama Lion, baroque flute; Cécile Garcia-Moeller, violin; Barbara Poeschl-Edrich, harp; Catherine Liddell, theorbo; Noriko Yasuda, harpsichord; Ruth McKay, organ, harpsichord; Laury Gutiérrez, viola da gamba, director
Sherezade Panthaki, Yulia Van Doren, sopranos; Lydia H. Knutson, Daniela Tosic, mezzo-sopranos; Aaron Sheehan, tenor; David Olsen, bass; Justin Godoy, recorder; Na'ama Lion, baroque flute; Cécile Garcia-Moeller, violin; Barbara Poeschl-Edrich, harp; Catherine Liddell, theorbo; Noriko Yasuda, harpsichord; Ruth McKay, organ, harpsichord; Laury Gutiérrez, viola da gamba, director
Acknowledgements:
This recording was produced, in part, through the generous support of Gordon Harris, Navigant Consulting, Inc. and through a grant from the PatsyLu fund for Women's Music Projects of the Open Medows Foundation.