Their names were Laura, Livia, and Anna. Together, they were known in the late 1500s 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: Amanda Forsythe, Amanda Powell, and Amanda Crider,” says Jeannette Sorrell, founder and director of Apollo’s Fire. “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.”

The dynamic program includes concerted madrigals, ariette, and secular cantatas for the singers by Claudio Monteverdi, Barbara Strozzi, Luzzascho Luzzashi, and others. The instrumental ensemble shines in ciacconas, toccatas, and other dances including solo turns for star violinist Francisco Fullana.