A programme proposed by Leonardo García Alarcón’s flutist Rodrigo Calveyra.
At the beginning of the 17th century, the Vasa dynasty was at the height of its prosperity and attracted many musical masters to Vilnius. Shortly after his coronation, Sigismund III engaged 16 leading Italian musicians, which brought a little sunshine to the music of his court.
One of the most influential of these masters was undoubtedly Tarquinio Merula, ‘organista di chiesa e di camera’ for Sigismund III Vasa between 1621 and 1626. Immediately after this period, Merula returned to Cremona, where he was Kapellmeister at the Cathedral.
Merula was a precursor of the early Baroque. He practically invented the cantata. As far as sacred music was concerned, Merula followed the example of Claudio Monteverdi and often used his elder’s techniques.
Tarquinio Merula (1595-1665)
Beatus vir, La Treccha, Chi vuol ch’io m’innamori
Cantate,jubilate, Canzona, La Ruggiera, Hor ch’è tempo di dormire, Ballo detto Gennaro, Gaudeamus omnes Sonata cromatica, Ciaccona, Su la cetra amorosa, Folle è ben che si crede
Renata Dubinskaite mezzo
Josué Melendez cornet
Davide Pozzi harpsichord and organ
Rodrigo Calveyra flutes and conductor
