Italian songs and arias of the 17th and 18th century have for many years been essential repertoire for anyone learning to sing. But this music is principally known in romantic adaptations which the original composers would barely recognize.
 
This new collection of 30 songs and arias (based on the "standard" 24, together with other pieces in the Italian style) recreates the clearer and cleaner-and easier to play accompaniment style of the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition to authentic editions of the music, the book contains invaluable information which will help singers interpret and perform this repertoire:
  • word-by-word translations (Italian-English) of the English singing translations
  • IPA transliterations of the Italian text
  • historical notes about each song
A CD containing recordings of the piano accompaniments is included with the book.