Stile rappresentativo

Abstract

The stile rappresentativo (representational style) flourished in Italy during the 17th century, and although some of this repertory has been recorded frequently, much still remains unexplored. The principles of this style lie in the rhetorical values of instructing, moving and entertaining the audience and, as Giulio Caccini explained in the preface to his 1601 collection Le nuove musiche, the most important element for its performance should be the text, followed by the rhythm and, last of all, the sound. The centrality of the text in the performance of stile rappresentativo requires that singers and instrumentalists have an acute awareness of the dramatic context of the words and an ability to commit actively to its expression. The plethora of interpretative possibilities the style offers makes each of the nine CDs discussed in this review unique, with some standing out as truly exceptional. Giovanni Girolamo Kapsperger: I Pastori di Bettelemme (Accent acc24231, issued 2010, 74′), recorded by the Austrian ensemble Echo du Danube, offers a rare chance to hear Kapsperger’s pastoral dialogue I Pastori di Bettelemme (The Shepherds of Bethlehem), which takes place on the day that Jesus was born. Some balance and diversity is added to the programme by interspersing the pastoral with other better-known music by Kapsperger and instrumental pieces by Giovanni Lorenzo Baldano, two of which use an uncommon type of bagpipe with two chanters, called a sordellina. Both the solo and ensemble singing is exquisite, and the instrumentation is carefully chosen to correspond harmoniously with the text. Also notable is the use of the psaltery throughout as a continuo and melody instrument; played by Elisabeth Seitz, it adds some Christmas glitter to the texture. This CD makes an important contribution to the discography of the repertory, although the quality of the recorded sound leaves something to be desired.