Legrenzi: Cantatas and Canzonets for Solo Voice, Part 1

Giovanni Legrenzi (1626–90) was most famous for his operas in his own day, though only five are known to survive, all in manuscript form.  His printed music includes the greater part of his religious music (nine collections ranging from works for instruments and chorus to motets for solo voice and basso continuo) and his shorter secular works (six collections of sonate da chiesa and da camera for two to six soloists with continuo).  The present edition is of his Cantate e Canzonette, opus 12, printed in 1676.  Twenty-four works for solo voices with continuo are included, twelve for soprano or tenor, six for alto, and six for bass.  The cantata forms used by Legrenzi in this collection are similar to short operatic scenes.  Of particular interest are the many arias which open with a secco recitative section before moving to an arioso style near the close.  A realization of the figured bass line is provided in the edition.

Ad altro amante in seno

Havete il torto a fè

Costei ch'in mezzo al volto

Discioglietevi in due fiumi

 

Vuol ch'io taccia

Quanto dolce è quell' ardore

 

Cessa d'esser Amante

Pene, non mi lasciate

Sorgea dal sen di Lete

Amore e virtù mi battano

 

Son canuto e d'un bambin

Il mio core non è con me

 

Nigel Fortune, Early Music, October, 1979;  Stephen Bonta, Notes, June 1980