The Neapolitan Muses - a series of nine moralistic-satirical eclogues in Neapolitan language by the writer and mercenary Giambattista Basile (1566-1632) - can be considered...

The Neapolitan Muses - a series of nine moralistic-satirical eclogues in Neapolitan language by the writer and mercenary Giambattista Basile (1566-1632) - can be considered the perfect literary background of the musical compositions in this recording. Just as Basile's eclogues disclose typical scenes of contemporary, everyday Neapolitan life, the present work provides an outstanding compendium of the musical language of Naples during those times. Each of these composers, which include Lanzetti, Scipriani, Porpora, Ruvo, Pergolesi, and others, lived and worked during the height of the Neapolitan age. These composers were some of the first to utilize the cello as more than just a basso continuo instrument, and this instrument is the centerpiece of each of these works. Gaetano Simone is the chosen cellist to carry out this important project. He is joined by Simone Colavecchi and Gaetano Magarelli.