Harpa Romana - Arias & Cantatas by the 17th-Century Virtuosos

“What I have that is most precious I will preserve in my own name”. This is most likely the belief that guided a series of harpists – ranging from Leonardo Mollica, the most renowned virtuoso of the late Renaissance, to Orazio Michi, Marco Marazzoli and Giovan Carlo Rossi (brother of the better-known Luigi) – to change their names to Leonardo, Orazio, Marco, and Carlo “dall’Arpa” respectively. Although none of the above were actually born in Rome, this was the place where their careers played out. Restoring an identity to these musicians is the express aim of this recording project. And the resulting portraits of these virtuosos of the “queen of instruments” are the outcome of lengthy research, study, transcription and arrangement carried out by Riccardo Pisani and Chiara Granata. The ensemble La Smisuranza, with its unique formation of three double harps, accompanies the tenor Riccardo Pisani in this exhilarating musical journey, characterised by vibrant and ever-changing instrumental textures that alternate moments of intimacy and exuberance in accordance with the poetic text set to music. Pisani, a singer “gifted with a warm, seductive voice” (Diapason) presents the music of his home city after the recent success of La Cetra di Sette Corde, a recording dedicated exclusively to the 17-century tenor Francesco Rasi.

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Riccardo Pisani - tenor La Smisuranza - ensemble Chiara Granata - harp Marta Graziolino - harp Elena Spotti - harp