Pleasures Of Love And Libations (Pinel)

Our third CD, The Pleasures of Love and Libation, departs the sacred theme of our previous releases, as we explore the decidedly secular contributions of Parisian women composers to the French Baroque and Rococo genres of the airs sérieux and airs à boire (serious and drinking songs). These song forms celebrate passionate longing and dissolute intoxication. Julie Pinel (fl. 1737) is our featured composer, and we include several selections her 1737 publication Nouveau recueil d’airs. Music composed by unknown Parisian women and by Elisabeth Jacquet de la Guerre is included as well. This CD res the luxuriant environment of an intimate Parisian salon, replete with the sounds of voices in solo, duo, and trio settings, with flute accompaniment and supported by the captivating tones of the theorbo, baroque harp, harpsichord, and viola da gamba.