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In the 1620s, Francesco Barberini was one of the most powerful men in Rome. At the age of 26 he was made a cardinal by his uncle, Pope Urban VIII, and he used his money and influence to become one of the leading art patrons of his day. Among the many artists in his employ were the harpsichordist Girolamo Frescobaldi and the theorbist Hieronymus Kapsberger. These two virtuosi were considered the leading performers on their respective instruments and were both skilled and innovative composers. In addition to solo music for harpsichord and theorbo, this program features instrumental canzone, sacred motets, and secular monody.

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Personnel:

Agnes Coakley Cox, soprano

Nathaniel Cox, cornetto and theorbo

John McKean, harpsichord

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Works drawn from:

Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger: Libro Primo di Arie passeggiate (1612), Libro Quarto d’Intavolatura di Chitarone (1640), Cantiones Sacrae (1628), Libro Secondo di Villanenelle (1619)
Girolamo Frescobaldi: Arie Musicale (1630), Il Primo Libro delle Canzoni (1628), Fiori Musicali (1635)

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