Born in the Venice of Claudio Monteverdi in 1619, her natural father was probably the artist and poet Giulio Strozzi, her mother one of his faithful servants. Barbara's musical talents were developed early; as a teenager she was already at the center of attention performing at the weekly gathering of Venetian artists and literati, the Accademia dei Unisoni, who met at Strozzi's palazzo.

She published her first book of songs in 1644, explaining that it is "the first work that I, as a woman, all too daringly bring to the light of day." In the preface, she gives credit to Francesco Cavalli, student and collaborator of Monteverdi, as her teacher. The works recorded here by soprano Emanuella Galli and Galatea come from her seventh publication of 1659 entitled Diporti di Euterpe, or "The Pleasures of Euterpe." In this work, Strozzi, at the height of her artistic powers, collaborates with some of the most important poets of the period to create works which are musically innovative and dramatically expressive as well as being exceedingly beautiful.

1. Tradimento (Barbara Strozzi)
2. Lagrime Mie (Barbara Strozzi)
3. Cos non la Voglio (Barbara Strozzi)
4. Appresso ai Molli Argenti (Barbara Strozzi)
5. Sete pur Fastidioso (Barbara Strozzi)
6. Fin Che tu Spiri (Barbara Strozzi)
7. Non Occorre (Barbara Strozzi)
8. A Pena il Sol (Barbara Strozzi)
9. Pensaci Ben mio Core (Barbara Strozzi)
10. Mi fa Rider (Barbara Strozzi)
11. Sino alla Morte (Barbara Strozzi)

Listen to: the entire album.

Release date: 1/21/2011
Paul Beier lives in Milan Italy

Tagged as: Classical, Baroque, Classical Singing, Lute, Composer: Barbara Strozzi

1. Dances and Suites of Rameau and Couperin by American Baroque: Spectacular Baroque and Classical chamber music
2. Conversations Galantes by Ensemble Mirable: rare and extraordinary music of the Baroque
3. JS Bach on 8 string guitar, vol 1 by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
4. The Melodious Birde - Keyboard Music By William Byrd by Colin Booth: solo harpsichord music
5. Colors of Spain by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
6. Reverie by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
7. Mozart 4 Quartets for Strings and Winds by American Baroque: Spectacular Baroque and Classical chamber music
8. The Four Seasons by Vivaldi by American Baroque: Spectacular Baroque and Classical chamber music
9. Art of the Lute in Renaissance France by Edward Martin: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute
10. Allemande by Edward Martin: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute
11. Bach Violin Concertos by Lara St John: Bach violin concertos
12. Vivaldi Concertos on 8-string guitar by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
13. SL Weiss on 11 Strings by Paul Berget: renaissance lute, modernized.
14. Debut by AlmaNova: lively flute/guitar duo
15. Uccellini by Altri Stromenti: 17th century baroque ensemble
16. JS Bach Goldberg Variations by Colin Booth: solo harpsichord music
17. JS Bach on Solo Mandola by Daniel Estrem: colorful classical guitar
18. Soyes Loyal by Asteria: late-medieval vocal and instrumental music
19. Canconier by Canconier: Medieval music from the 12th to the 15th centuries
20. Luis Milan - El Maestro by Edward Martin: vihuela, renaissance and baroque lute

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