The Queenes Maskes

Throughout its entire Golden Age, England cultivated the so-called "Masque", a refined performance that combined dialogue, singing and dance. Within these spectacles, courtiers often performed, sometimes even the queen herself, on the dance floor. The musical heart of these productions, however, was provided by dedicated professionals. Lutenists were particularly skilled at creating music for every occasion. The dances, variations on popular songs and fantasies they composed, display great diversity and virtuosity. The present recording contains lute works by the most important composers of the Elizabethan and Jacobean period, with music by Dowland, Holborne, Bacheler, Ferrabosco and other contemporaries involved in "The Queenes Maskes". Elisa La Marca has been appreciated for years by leading specialist ensembles (Il Giardino Armonico, Il Pomo d'Oro, Les Musiciens du Prince, Zefiro, etc.) with which she performs at prestigious venues, most recently at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Here she presents her first solo album, which puts a favourite repertoire of the artist in the spotlight.