Francesco Rasi
Francesco Rasi (14 May 1574 – 30 November 1621) was an Italian composer, singer (
Rasi was born in
In 1610 in
He wrote an opera, Cibele, ed Ati, which seems not to have been performed and whose music does not survive, and another libretto, Elvidia rapita. He published poetry, including in the anthology La cetra di sette corde, and a good deal of monody which survives in the anthologies Vaghezze di musica (1608) and Madrigali (1610). Almost all of these are written for tenor voice, suggesting that they were written to display Rasi's own skill as a singer, and they follow in the style of Caccini's compositions.[2]
Rasi was a well-respected singer, whose skill in ornamentation and diminution, beautiful voice, and ability to sing with grace and feeling, led to him being involved in the first performances of many of the first operas.[2]
Notes and references
Sources
- William V. Porter. "Francesco Rasi", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (accessed July 10, 2007), grovemusic.com Archived 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine(subscription access).
- Susan Parisi. "Francesco Rasi (opera)", Grove Music Online, ed. L. Macy (accessed July 10, 2007), grovemusic.com Archived 2008-05-16 at the Wayback Machine(subscription access).