Maurizio Cazzati (1616-1678) is one of the most underrated composers of the 17th century and yet one of the most prolific and successful in his time. He composed 15 operas and oratorios, masses, cantatas and motets, chamber music and solo sonatas. Cazzati developed his own personal style, in his “Stile concertato” the voices interact with the instruments of the ensemble, while his melodies have a typical Italian Bel Canto quality. The instrumental writing is lively and brilliant, occasionally making use of text painting. The Cantatas on this new recording are especially written for tenor voice, featuring secular and sacred texts dealing mainly with love, whether divine or carnal. Between the vocal works we hear instrumental music: balletti, correnti and gagliarde. Beautifully sung by Italian tenor Alessio Tosi, specialist in Early Music and regular guest with La Venexiana, Jordi Savall’s group, I Barocchisti/Fasolis, La Risonanza/Bonnizoni. For Brilliant Classics he recorded music by Stradella (with Emma Kirkby) and Steffani. The ensemble Eridanus play period instruments. The booklet contains liner notes, biographies and the sung texts, both original and in English translation.
