The virtuosa singer in the academies of early modern Italy

Soprano: Christina Birchall-Sampson

Lute/theorbo: Richard MacKenzie

'Cello: Tabitha Tuckett (UCL)

Presentations: Amy Brosius (University of Birmingham), Lisa Sampson (UCL)

One of the outstanding features of Italian music and theatre culture in the late 16th and 17th centuries was the rise of the female virtuosa, or skilled singer, actress and performer. In some cases virtuose became ‘stars’ on the public or court stage, but they equally attracted intense criticism and bans. This event presents music by some of the early virtuose singers, poets and composers, and explores contexts, protagonists and musical features. It brings new research perspectives by focusing on private, intellectual circles like academies, which were characteristic of this period and the setting of often less documented, but experimental performances and voices.

All are welcome but please ensure you book a ticket by 10th September; places are limited: https://earlymodernvirtuosa.eventbrite.co.uk

This event is generously sponsored by UCL Centre for Critical Heritage Studies and The Italianist, Journal of The Departments of Italian Studies at the Universities of Cambridge, Leeds and Reading

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Image credit: Detail from Arianna e Bacco nell'isola di Nasso (Ariadne and Bacchus on the Island of Naxos) painted by Domenico Fetti in 1611 (Source: Wikipedia Commons)