Music
Press
When I first listened I thought of the singing as a wonderful mystery in a hallowed world. Thank you for this beautiful collection. - Richard Mauro, Sacred World Music Radio Program
I was browsing the World Music section at Amazon and came upon Liata's "Sensations" quite by accident. Intrigued, I listened to bits of each track and, enchanted, decided to take a chance and purchase the CD. Boy, am I ever glad I am a risk taker! (smile). The music is just beautiful - an eclectic multicultural compilation of ballads from France, Spain, Italy, and Russia, along with some opera.
Mezzo-soprano Rosanna D'Agnillo's lush voice simply soars, turning each song into a special treasure. At times Lynne Cerro joins her in vocal harmonies. Ms. Cerro also accompanies with multicultural instrumentation like the woodwinds, as well as the more eclectic offerings of santur, dulcimer, harp and oud. Lynn Davies is brilliant on the classical guitar. The result of their collaboration is pure elegance with an earthy touch.
Album highlights include: "I'te Vurria Vasa," ("How I Want To Kiss You"), the opening track, is an early 20th century Neapolitan serenade; "Ciao Bella Ciao," a traditional WWII song of the Italian partisan fighters; the contemporary Peruvian "Alma, Corazon y Vida;" "Study in G Major" a gorgeous 18th century composition for classical guitar with an additional melody line for the flute; the haunting traditional Irish ballad "Banks of the Lee," written by Thomas Davis, a 19th century poet and patriot, is another great favorite; the popular American love song "The Twelfth of Never" is beautifully performed here, as is the passionate Russian ballad "Ach Zactchem eta Noch;" and George Bizet's "Je Croix Entendre Encore," from "The Pearl Fishers."
This wonderful album is certainly a well kept secret, at least in the US. I am amazed more people do not know what a jewel Liata's "Sensations" is. Highly recommended!
- Jane Kraus - Amazon Reviewer
Discography
2001 - Canzone d'Amore (Italian Love Songs)
2003 - Adeste Fideles (Christmas album)
2004 - Sensations - Our favorite romantic ballads in English, Italian, French, Spanish and Russian.
2007 - Peaceful Voyage: Healing Meditations, Volumes 1 & 2
2007: Sacred Arias: Piano Accompaniment for Classical Singers
2009 - Intermezzo is the long awaited second album of the group Liata. It is a lush collection of songs in English, French and Italian from the 1930s and 1940s. Liata brings their own unique blend of rich vocals and orchestral arrangements to these classic compositions of the golden days of film. The album is a tribute to the great works of Irving Berlin, Fred Astaire, Edith Piaf and others.
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Bio
Looking for a haunting and stylin' blend of vocals and multi-cultural instruments (classical guitar, violin, mandolin, flute, accordion, santur) that is earthy and elegant? A totally unique and compelling acoustic act with a mix of romantic jazz & cabaret, global-classical, funked-up European folk and some traditional opera surprises with new twists!
Our first album (2004), Sensations, made its debut ranking in the top 1000 on Amazon.com, and reached #1 on global indie charts. Intermezzo, released in 2009, is a collection of our favorite songs from the 1930s and 1940s film era in English, French and Italian.
We currently receive international airplay on more than 30 stations, including two prominent NPR stations in the USA. We were heard on the soundtrack to Sony Pictures "Joan of Arcadia" in 2005.
Rosanna has released two meditation albums in collaboration with a local angel therapist, and an album of classical voice accompaniment for sacred songs.
Repertoire: romantic ballads and upbeat songs in English, Italian, French, Spanish, Russian. Jazz and old movie standards with a fresh, romantic flair. Traditional opera and sacred works.
Influences: Pink Martini, Sarah Brightman, Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, Paris Combo, Madeleine Peyroux.
Rosanna D'Agnillo (vocals, accordion, mandolin, piano). An Italian chanteuse, Ms. D'Agnillo is a three-octave mezzo-soprano who sings fluently in more than six languages. She is regularly seen in at festivals and classical performances all over North America. Visit her site at www.rosannad.com.
Lynne Cerro - is a pianist, singer & arranger who plays a variety of instruments. Lynne is the creative and artistic director of the group and does most of the music engineering. Lynne is an established fine artist and commercial artist in southern California. Visit her work at www.lynnecerro.com and www.solutions4design.com.
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