The Medici Castrato: A homage to Gualberto Magli

Magli's performance in Monteverdi's Orfeo (1607) was rapturously received. This slim-line account, with triple-harp and theorbo replacing lavish Mantuan forces, also includes entrancing songs... — BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2014, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 13th Oct 2014
Catalogue No: GCD923501
Label: Glossa

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Monteverdi: L'Orfeo: excerpts

'Operina L’Orfeo'
Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Caccini, G: Amarilli mia bella

arr. Nauwach
Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Caccini, F: Dispiegate, guance amate

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Caccini, G: Sfogava con le stelle

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Sigismondo: Piangono al pianger mio

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Lambardi: O felice quel giorno

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Trabaci: Toccata Seconda per l'arpa

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Montesardo: Hor che la nott’ombrosa

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Ciccolini: Solo et pensoso (2013)

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

anon.: Se fama al mondo

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Nauwach: Tempesta di dolcezza

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Nauwach: Jetzund kömpt die Nacht herbey

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

Sigismondo: Ancidetemi pur (Lamento di Giasone)

Raffaele Pe (countertenor), Chiara Granata (triple harp) & David Miller (theorbo)

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The exciting countertenor voice of Italian Raffaele Pe which has, in the last few years, been captivating audiences at concert and opera performances given by the likes of John Eliot Gardiner, Claudio Cavina, Christophe Coin and Paul McCreesh, is now provided with a CD release from Glossa of Pe’s solo recital, 'The Medici Castrato'. Pe takes his lead from music written for Gualberto Magli, a castrato at the court of the Medicis in Florence in the first quarter of the 17th century who, through the encouragement of his teacher Giulio Caccini, became a master of the new vocal form of monody. Magli’s prowess led him to be sought after for the Mantuan première of Monteverdi’s 'L’Orfeo', sizeable portions of which are sung here by Pe. Alongside a modern homage to castrati such as Gualberto Magli written by Alessandro Ciccolini and seicento composers such as Francesca and Giulio Caccini and Sigismondo d’India appear monodies by more shadowy names such as Girolamo Montesardo and Johann Nauwach (compositions by the latter resulting from Magli working for the Elector of Brandenburg). The 17th century instrumental soundworld is conjured up on this recording (previously only available as a download) by harpist Chiara Granata and theorbo player David Miller.

Reviews

Christmas 2014

Magli's performance in Monteverdi's Orfeo (1607) was rapturously received. This slim-line account, with triple-harp and theorbo replacing lavish Mantuan forces, also includes entrancing songs and scenes from less familiar contemporaries.

Early Music Review December 2014

Pe is a persuasive advocate of what can be (and what possibly always was) intellectually demanding music ... a fascinating issue.

December 2014

Pe has a bright, lucid timbre that cuts often to the heart of things, confidence and athleticism in the high resgiter, and a hint of sweetness lower down...a special feature of the recital is the contribution of the two continuo players, who establish themselves as equal players throughout, and whose contribution can be savoured on its own terms.

30th January 2015

“Pe has a well-focused counter tenor voice, expressive but not at all florid. With a fine approach to phrasing comes an agile way with decorations … The church acoustic is very pleasing. Even in the welter of counter tenor discs, Pe’s precisely targeted concept album rewards close listening.

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The Medici Castrato

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