Genre: Barok
Componisten/uitvoerenden: Anoniem | Francesco Corbetta | Jean-Baptiste Lully | Marin Marais | Robert de Visée
In contrast to Italy, where guitar books had been published since the beginning of the 17th century, the French repertoire in the battuto-pizzicato style emerged only about half a century later. In a short time, between 1671 and 1686, a considerable number of works appeared in print.
Portrait of the Italian comedian Tiberio Fiorilli (1608-1694), creator of the character of Scaramouche, playing the guitar. Anonymous painting of the 18th century.
The predilection that Louis XIV and his court composer Lully had for song and dance was of great influence. In Lully’s ballets and operas, various characters from the commedia dell’arte appear, such as Scaramouche, a creation by the actor Tiberio Fiorilli. This Scaramouche is often depicted with a guitar in hand.
In addition, the presence in Paris of the charismatic virtuoso Francesco Corbetta, who was a welcome guest at the Royal courts of Europe, undoubtedly influenced the widespread – but also short-lived – fashion for the guitar.
In the 1680s, Robert de Visée had a special position as a court musician. He had the privilege of being summoned frequently to play the guitar before the Royal supper in the private quarters of the Sun King, attended by a small group of intimates.
Francesco Corbetta (1615 – 1681)
- Folia
Lex Eisenhardt, baroque guitar
(cd Canta Venetia!, Etcetera KTC 1316, 2006)
Francesco Corbetta
- Suite in A minor
– Prelude
– Allemande
– Courante
– Sarabande
– Gigue
Lex Eisenhardt, baroque guitar
(personal archive)
Jean Baptiste Lully (1632 – 1687)
From the Ballet de la naissance de Vénus:
- Première Entrée
- Etoile du point du jour
- Les Heures
- Menuet
Les Talens Lyriques olv. Christophe Rousset
(cd Lully: Ballet royal de la naissance de Venus, Aparte AP255, 2021)
Francesco Corbetta
- Caprice de Chaconne
Lex Eisenhardt, baroque guitar
(personal archive)
Robert de Visée (fl. 1682 – 1632)
- Suite in D minor
– Prelude
– Allemande
– Courante
– Sarabande
– Gavotte
– Bourrée
– Menuet I and II
– Gigue
– Passacaille
Lex Eisenhardt, baroque guitar
(personal archive)
Antoire Forqueray (1672 – 1745)
- La Sylva
André Lislevand, viola da gamba
(cd Forqueray unchained, Arcana A486, 2021)
Robert de Visée
- Suite in G major
– Prelude
– Allemande
– Courante
– Menuet
– Gavotte en rondeau
– Gigue
Fred Jacobs, theorbo
(cd Robert de Visée, pieces de theorbe, Metronome MET CD 1072, 2008)
Marin Marais (1656 – 1728)
- La guitare
André Lislevand, viola da gamba, Jadran Duncumb, theorbo
(cd Forqueray unchained, Arcana A486, 2021)
