MILANUZZI: Arias and Dances [CD de audio] Lucia Sciannimanico, Gian Luca Lastraioli, Cappella di Santa Maria degli Angiolini and

Although almost forgotten today, in 17th century Italy, Carlo Milanuzzi enjoyed a status similar to that of today's rock stars, thanks to a wide production of dance and vocal works that had managed to conquer the hearts of a very wide audience. . Milanuzzi's arias are short, melodious and focus on themes such as love, joy and beauty, while the dances can feature bright or bucolic writing and a strongly accented rhythm that evokes scenes of lively folk festivals. Considered by many professionals as a kind of female counterpart to tenor Marco Beasley, mezzo-soprano Lucia Sciannimanico manages to express with astonishing immediacy the mordantly popular character of these suggestive works, presented here in their first world recording. The dances are equally captivating, performed with vigor and full stylistic awareness by a large ensemble of original instruments. The booklet contains extensive cover notes and all sung texts. Lucia Sciannimanico, mezzo-soprano; Cappella di Santa Maria degli Angiolini