Emilio dei Cavalieri (1550-1602) might be one of the most interesting figures of his time.

A diplomat, choreographer, organist and composer, his few surviving compositions are ground-breaking, and place him at the forefront of musical development, especially in terms of his connection to the new stile rappresentativo and early opera.

Cavalieri's Lamentations and Responsories are extremely innovative when compared to other settings from the time: the expressive setting of the dark biblical text combines old and new musical styles - beautiful and complex polyphonic sections alternating with highly expressive monodies and duets.

Profeti della Quinta has been researching and performing Cavalieri's Lamentations over the past ten years, and are extremely happy to finally share this recording of it.