L'Amfiparnaso

L’AMFIPARNASO

CHANDOS

2004

The classic music-theatre work of the Italian Renaissance, written 1597 and inspired by the commedia dell’arte – old men, cowards, scheming servants and self-obsessed lovers. The slapstick for the comic characters is perfectly balanced by the ravishing Gesualdo-esque writing for the lovers.

Simon Callow narrates Timothy Knapman's fabulous intros:

Come gather round people and nobody scoff

Lucio’s romance has entered a trough.

Isabella has left him, so please, your hats doff

“I must end it all!” says he, with a cough,

And looks for a clifftop to toss himself off.

Original production directed by Peter Wilson MBE

Filmed in the Great Hall and grounds of the

Dartington Hall Estate, Devon 2003

L’AMFIPARNASO

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Introduction

L’AMFIPARNASO

Robert Hollingworth introduces Vecchi’s music and the DVD

2003 / 4:29

Act 1 / Sc. 3

Clip…

…

2004 / 3:27mins

Act 3 / Sc. 4

Clip…

2004 / 5:08mins

REVIEWS

“I Fagiolini turn a silk purse into one beaded in gold. These expert singers are also seasoned actors and yet it is the group dynamic which always wins the day with this unique vocal ensemble. A highly enjoyable production which celebrates the relevance and enjoyment to be found in a 400-year old musical.”

GRAMOPHONE

★★★★

“Vecchi's 1597 madrigal cycle… mixes slapstick scenes from the commedia dell'arte with lofty lovers' laments. Venetians might have crowded round. … - than canons of vocal decorum were being gleefully guyed. The singing's superb, as is the five-channel sound”

BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE