La Famosa Cantatrice
Homage to Italian Divas of the 17th Century
(B. Strozzi, F. Caccini, L. Luzzaschi)
Maria Skiba– soprano (Poland)
Gerd Amelung – harpsichord
Monday 2 August 2010, 7.30 pm
Martinic Palace, Hradčanské náměstí 67/8, Prague 1
Women as professional singers… It may now seem unbelievable to us, but not always could the existence of the diva be taken for granted. The polish cantatrice Maria Skiba told us in her clear soprano voice, accompanied by harpsichordist Gerd Amelung, of the first generation of late-renaissance pioneers. However, in the course of the evening at the Martinic palace we encountered not only the belles donnes of yore and experience their voices, but also the lovely music of women composers Barbara Strozzi and Francesca Caccini.