The court of the Gonzaga family in Mantua occupied a unique and distinguished position in 16th and 17th century Italy both for the quality and quantity of musical activity associated with it and its palatine basilica of Santa Barbara. With the construction of Santa Barbara, Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga succeeded in endowing the city with a monumental palatine basilica and its own autonomous liturgy. Equally important was the formation of the cappella musicale: Guglielmo recruited the finest vocalists and instrumentalists available and promoted the composition of cyclical masses, magnificats, and motets based on melodies drawn from the liturgy of the palatine basilica. The present recording focuses on the music of Amante Franzoni, Maestro di Cappella of the St. Barbara Basilica. His Vespers for Santa Barbara include 4, 5, and 6-part, as well as polychoral Psalms. Short instrumental interludes are included between the choral works.
