This programme will recreate a salon presentation of late 17th- and early 18th-century English songs, as they would have been commonly heard at the time, with the singer providing his own accompaniment at the Italian virginal. Composers Henry Purcell, John Blow, John Eccles, and others published in the Playford books will be represented, interspersed with selections from The Dancing Master, and readings from Samuel Pepys and his contemporaries.
Bud Roach, tenor and Italian virginal
Canadian tenor Bud Roach has made a specialty of the somewhat lost art of the self-accompanied singer, with two recordings of solo arias (Sospiro- the Complete Arias of Alessandro Grandi, 1626; Giovanni Felice Sances, Arias, 1636) on the Musica Omnia label. He has led his four-voice ensemble, Capella Intima, in a soon to be released recording of sacred canzonettas published by Rolla in Milan, 1657. Bud's performance schedule includes regular appearances with the Toronto Consort, Soundstreams Canada, the Talisker Players, and solo recitals in New York, Boston, Venice, and, closer to home, Toronto and Hamilton (Hammer Baroque). www.BudRoach.com