GEMMA BERTAGNOLLI
LUCREZIA
On the occasion of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, on 24 November Extended Place releases the EP Lucrezia. Händel's homonymous Cantata, composed by the then 20-year-old composer during his stay in Italy, is here proposed in the intense and moving interpretation of Gemma Bertagnolli, refined interpreter of the baroque repertoire, with Giovanni Togni on harpsichord and Marco Frezzato on cello.
“Singing Lucrezia today.
In a present where violence is exhibited and documented through pictures, interviews, public commentary and public courts, we hereby voice Lucrezia's solitary despair.
We tell of an intimate and lonely grief that, without any witnesses or extenuating circumstances, reveals a Roman Lucrezia who opts for death to retain her honour after having endured the violence of Sextus Tarquinius.
We are not witnessing a sheer suicide, but rather a murder, first perpetrated by rape, then by that sense of dishonour, which causes her to perceive herself, not as a victim, but as a culprit.
As I lent Lucrezia my voice, the dreadful timeliness of her despair flowed through me. My hope it’s that through the beauty of Händel's music, we may find a hidden chance for solace.”
Gemma Bertagnolli
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ERMANNO
WOLF-FERRARI
The lyrics collected in these volumes constitute the Canzoniere Op. 17 by Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari. First published in 1936, this work has now been reissued by Ricordi with a preface by soprano Gemma Bertagnolli. It highlights the excellence of Italian chamber music from the early twentieth century and not only expands the concert repertoire for singers but also serves as a valuable resource for students, especially in conservatory Chamber Vocal Music classes.
