Music for The House of a Gentleman

The programme of this CD conjures up the salon of a sixteenth-century Italian mansion, in which the master of the house is entertaining his guests to the "gentle" (that is noble, gracious,courteous) art of music making. Music was an important part of social life of the gentry, and musicians were often employed by the nobility. The programme consists of an alternation of instrumental and vocal music, by composers like Lasso, Arcadelt, Ortiz, Spinacino, da Milano, and others. The instruments used are baroque violin, lyra da braccio, harp, lute, recorder and harpsichord.

A fascinating concept recording by baroque violinist Valerio Losito, who already recorded several successful CDs for Brilliant Classics (Veracini, Tessarini, Domenico Scarlatti, music for viola d'amore solo). Soprano Lucia Sciannimanico sings the vocal parts, a beautiful and warm voice, specialised in the Renaissance and Baroque repertoire.