I. Dance of Life:
TRADITIONAL CATALAN, arr. J. Sorrell:
El Cant dels Ocells
Attributed to STEFANO LANDI (1587–1639), arr. J. Sorrell:
Passacaglia della Vita

II. In the Palace of Ferrara:
ANDREA FALCONIERI (1586–1656), arr. R. Schiffer:
Ciaccona in G Major, Primo Libro di Canzone & Sinfonie, 1650
LUZZASCHO LUZZASCHI (c.1545–1607):
Toccata del Quarto Tono
Dolcezze amarissime (Trio for the Concerto delle Donne)

III. Love is too Much:
ALESSANDRO PICCININI (1566–1638):
Toccata in G Minor
BIAGIO MARINI (1594–1663):
Passacalio a 4 in G Minor, Op. 22 No. 25
Sonata sopra Fuggi dolente core, Op. 22 No. 21
SAMUEL FRIEDRICH CAPRICORNUS (1628–1665), arr. J. Sorrell:
O Felix Jucunditas, from Theatrum Musicium, 1669
BENEDETTO FERRARI (c.1603-1681):
Amanti, io so vi dire
LUZZASCHO LUZZASCHI, ed. J. Sorrell:
Troppo ben puo questo tiranno (Trio for the Concerto delle Donne)

IV. Disdain:
BARBARA STROZZI (1619-1677), ed. J. Sorrell:
Che si puo fare, Op. 8
CLAUDIO MONTEVERDI (1567-1643):
Quel sguardo sdegnosetto, from The Scherzi Musicali
VIRGILIO MAZZOCCHI (1597-1646):
Sdegno, campion audace

V. May I have this dance?:
DIEGO ORTIZ (c.1510–c.1576), arr. J. Sorrell:
Two Recercadas from Trattado de Glosas
JUAN ARANES (1580–1649), arr. J. Sorrell:
Un Sarao de la Chacona

Their names were Laura, Livia, and Anna. Together, they were known in the late 1500’s as the Tre Donne di Ferrara – the three ladies of Ferrara. Their ensemble was praised by contemporary poets and won highest renown throughout Italy and Germany. However, women were not supposed to become famous for their professional achievements. And so, one of them was murdered by her husband – a count – who went unpunished. Thus, this is a tale of revolutionary women ahead of their time, living in an era when women had no protections.

In this album, it has been my pleasure to collaborate with three extraordinary ladies of today – named Amanda, Amanda, and Amanda. The Amandas and I are proud to offer this homage to the unstoppable Italian women who broke the glass ceiling in 1580. We hope that their brilliance and boldness resound through this recording.