Songs from the Cloisters: music from Bolognese convents of the 17th century
Tactus 600001 [See also www.tactus.it]
6 to 9 voices, basso continuo
Lucretia Orsina Vizana is the only Bolognese nun whose music is extant: her 1623 collection of motets for 1-4 voices were written for and dedicated to her sister nuns at the convent of Santa Cristina. These, and other Bolognese nuns, were also the dedicatees of more than 10 collections of sacred music composed by important male composers (Banchieri, Trombetti and others) before the end of the 17th century.
* * * * It is in any case Cappella Artemisia itself which provides the innovative aspect of this recording. This ensemble brings together women singers from classical, baroque, operatic and folk backgrounds. [...] As a choir, they offer a sense of the collective, in the best sense of the word. [...] The qualities of the direction, energetic and structured, as well as the extremely clear diction, are to be underlined. (Le monde de la musique)
This recording is a real find. From it one can understand why noble visitors were attracted to Bologna to hear the "Sirens in the Cloister".[...] I heartily recommend this disc as a way to explore a wonderful "new" repertoire. [...] It is perhaps too fanciful to imagine that in most convents the choir would have been composed of singers of this caliber. (American Record Guide)
To sum up, this is a recording which is also a story. Something to acquire. Something to hear. (Unità)