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The Caccini Sisters

Lucie Skeaping explores the lives and work of Francesca and Settimia Caccini, the two musical daughters of renowned singer and composer Giulio Caccini.

Giulio Caccini was one of the most successful composers and highly renowned singers of his age. But lesser known are his two daughters, Francesca and Settimia Caccini. Both women were highly accomplished singers in their own right, and composers as well, and they both rose to become the highest paid members of their respective courts. Francesca also holds another claim to fame, as the first ever female composer of an opera, and she has been lauded as the most important female composer between the 11th Century Hildegard of Bingen and the 19th Century. Lucie Skeaping investigates the lives of these two extraordinary women.

** Podcast version of this programme available from Monday 15th August **
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1 hour

Last on

Sun 14 Aug 2011 00:00
BBC Radio 3

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Music Played

  • Giulio Caccini

    Amarilli mia bella

    Performers: Julianne Baird (soprano), Colin Tilney (harpsichord), Myron Lutzke (cello)

    • DORIAN.
    • DOR 90104.

  • Francesca Caccini

    O Che Nuovo Stupor

    Performers: Catherine Bott (soprano), New London Consort, Philip Pickett (director)

    • OISEAU LYRE.
    • 417 2602.

  • Francesca Caccini

    Io mi distruggo

    Performers: Shannon Mercer (soprano), Sylvain Bergeron (guitar, theorbo), Amanda Keesmaat (cello), Luc Beauséjour (harpsichord, organ)

    • ANALEKTA.
    • AN 2 9966.

  • Giulio Caccini

    Caduca fiamma from Il rapimento di Cefalo

    Performers: Julianne Baird (soprano), Colin Tilney (harpsichord), Myron Lutzke (cello)

    • DORIAN.
    • DOR 90104.

  • Giulio Caccini

    Ineffabile Ardore (Final Chorus) from Il rapimento di Cefalo

    Performers: La Nuova Musica, David Bates (director)

    • SOMM.
    • SOMMCD 083.

  • Alessandro Ghivizzani

    Lilla Tu Mi Disprezzi; Vago Mio Viso

    Performers: Ivana Bilej Brouková (soprano), Marketa Cukrová (mezzo-soprano), Jan Krejca (theorbo), Miroslav Student (archlute), Petr Wagner (viola da gamba), Tomas Reindl (percussion)

    • ARTA.
    • F10159.

  • Francesca Caccini

    S'io men vo

    Performers: Shannon Mercer (soprano), Sylvain Bergeron (guitar, theorbo), Amanda Keesmaat (cello), Luc Beauséjour (harpsichord, organ)

    • ANALEKTA.
    • AN 2 9966.

  • Marco da Gagliano

    Veni Sancte Spiritus

    Performers: Ensemble Jacqves Moderne, Joël Suhubiette (director)

    • CALLIOPE.
    • CAL 9292.

  • Francesca Caccini

    Lasciatemi

    Performers: Shannon Mercer (soprano), Sylvain Bergeron (guitar, theorbo), Amanda Keesmaat (cello), Luc Beauséjour (harpsichord, organ)

    • ANALEKTA.
    • AN 2 9966.

  • Settimia Caccini

    Due Luci Ridenti (preceded by 29" KAPSPERGER Preludio)

    Performers: Ivana Bilej Brouková (soprano), Marketa Cukrová (mezzo-soprano), Jan Krejca (theorbo), Miroslav Student (archlute), Petr Wagner (viola da gamba), Tomas Reindl (percussion)

    • ARTA.
    • F10159.

  • Francesca Caccini

    Selections from La Liberazione di Ruggiero

    Performers: Vieuxtemps String Quartet, Michael May (harpsichord), Mertine Johns (mezzo-soprano)

    • GEMINI HALL.
    • RAP 1010/A.

  • Francesca Caccini

    Ch'Amor sia Nudo

    Performers: Shannon Mercer (soprano), Sylvain Bergeron (guitar, theorbo), Amanda Keesmaat (cello), Luc Beauséjour (harpsichord, organ)

    • ANALEKTA.
    • AN 2 9966.

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