Francesco Rasi

Rasi was most noted as a talented tenor who starred in Peri's "Euridice" and probably created "Orfeo" in Monteverdi's opera of the same name. Reportedly a student of Caccini he later acceded to the position of singing in the Mantuan court for at least twenty years. As a composer Rasi published two volumes of monodies, songs and motets, madrigals, and several cantatas. The characteristics of his musical compositions include textual sensitivity brought out in his rhythmic line, embellished cadences, assonance apparent in most of the musical line except for the passing tones and suspensions, abundant sequential patterns, contrapuntal vocal movements, and continuo in some of his strophic songs. "Dialoghi rappresentativi" is most indicative of his work and most of the dialogues are scored for three solo singers and continuo. ~ Keith Johnson