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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Larry ZazzoORCiD
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The depiction of philosophers and philosophy in early modern music is varied and colourful, at times tragicomic and by no means always 'historically informed': the noble but mocked Seneca in Monteverdi's Poppea, the hen-pecked, polygamous Socrates in Telemann's Der gedulgige Sokrates, the tipple-loving Diogenes and Aristotle in the ballad songs of Leveridge and Lampe, and the lovestruck Heraclitus and Democritus in the more serious duets, trios and laments of Carissimi, Purcell, Strozzi, Couperin and Jean-Baptise Stuck. Heraclitus and Democritus, two pre-Socratic 5th century thinkers, were particularly fruitful subjects for depiction due to their association with two polar affects: Heraclitus came to be known as the “weeping philosopher”, despite influencing the later Stoics (including Seneca), and was often contrasted in artistic depictions with Democritus, the “laughing philosopher”, to whom we can add perhaps a third, Diogenes, the “drinking philosopher”. Far from being detached oracles rhetorically dispensing wisdom, these philosopher-singers are feeling as well as thinking subjects, subject to suffering and (self) derision in equal measure. In this project, following his successful exploration of disguised gender identities in Baroque Gender Stories, countertenor Lawrence Zazzo will collaborate with soprano Soraya Mafi and Jorge’s Jimenez’ Spanish ensemble Tercia Realidad to explore as a piece of creative practice the depiction of philosophers and their philosophies -- and corresponding para-musical emotive expression -- in Italian, German, French, and English vocal music in the early modern period.
Author(s): Zazzo L, Jimenez J, Mafi S
Publication type: Digital or Visual Media
Publication status: Published
Year: 2024
Number: PC10456
Publisher: Pan Classics
Place Published: Vevey
Format: compact disc
Performers(s): Lawrence Zazzo, Soraya Mafi, Jorge Jimenez, Tercia Realidad
URL: https://propermusic.com/products/lawrencezazzoterciarealidadjorgejimenez-weepingphilosophersariasbycarissimidurante?
Notes: released March 2024, and will be part of a portfolio submission to include a published article (Target: Early Music). Extensive programme notes functioning as a commentary included in CD insert
