PROGRAMS

LAMENTO D'ARIANNA: The Story of the Italian Madrigal
The Madrigal was the most prominent genre of secular vocal music in the Renaissance and early Baroque. This program follows its evolution from the highly expressive polyphony of Cipriano de Rore, to the revolutionary madrigals by Claudio Monteverdi that shaped the Baroque era. We recorded this program on our album Amor, Fortuna e Morte.

BEAUTY IN FOUR PARTS: The Madrigals of Philippe Verdelot
Philippe Verdelot was one of the fathers of the Italian madrigal genre, and his four-part
madrigals were a commercial hit in the middle of the 16th century. In modern times they have
been neglected, but in this program, these elegant and beautiful pieces come to life again. See trailer here.

THE LAMENTATION OF DAVID
A program dedicated to the liturgical musical style of early 17th century Mantova. It includes majestic Psalm settings by Claudio Monteverdi and his Jewish colleague Salomone Rossi, as well as the "Lamentation of David" and other Biblical settings by Elam Rotem in the style of the period.  See a video here.

IL MANTOVANO HEBREO: Madrigals and Hebrew prayers by Salomone Rossi (c. 1570-1630)
A program portraying the Jewish Italian composer by highlighting the variety of his musical output, comprising Italian madrigals and instrumental music as well as unique Hebrew-texted music for the Synagogue. More details here.

JOSEPH AND HIS BRETHREN: A New Biblical musical drama telling the story Joseph and his Brethren
Biblical musical drama composed in the spirit of the first Operas by Elam Rotem. Using the musical language and context of the first musical Dramas of Cavalieri, Caccini, and Monteverdi, the piece tells the story of Joseph and his brethern - one of the most touching stories of the old testament. The piece is written in Biblical Hebrew for five voices, instruments, and basso-continuo. More details here.

 JERUSALEM, JERUSALEM: Lamentations by Emilio de' Cavalieri (ca. 1600)
Cavalieri's expressive setting of the dark biblical text combines old and new musical styles: beautiful and complex polyphonic sections alternating with highly expressive monodies and duets. See an excerpt here.

 QUIA AMORE LANGUEO: Song of Songs and Dark Biblical Love Tales
Motets and Dramatic Scenes Composed in the Spirit of Early 17th Century Italian Music by Elam Rotem. This program presents motets inspired by the intimate and amorous madrigal genre as well as two pieces in the dramatic style of the genere rappresentativo. The motets set texts from the Song of Songs, while the dramatic scenes depict the dark love tales of Amnon & Tamar (Samuel II), and Samson & Delilah (Judges). More details here.

EGO DORMIO ET COR MEUM VIGILAT: Virtuosic monodies and duets from the recently surfaced Carlo G MS
Intimate devotional monodies and duets from the recently surfaced Carlo G. manuscript (ca. 1600-1620, Italy), presented alongside music of his contemporaries. We recorded this program, see here.