The Dutch-American soprano Lisa Houben offers us a recital of charming songs by Italian composers. These romanze are popular intimate songs, free of the formal setting of opera. You can find them in all of Italy’s musical history. Particularly in the nineteenth century where they invade the salons. Girls may show off their singing technique with brilliant pathos. Composers compete feverishly in exciting their public with strong texts to complement their passionate music.

The CD includes many rarely performed and world premiere recordings of these songs, discovered at the Conservatory of Milano by Lisa houben together with the Italian musicologist Carlo Curami.