Concerto delle Donne was formed principally to perform the unique Italian vocal repertoire of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Its title refers to the three celebrated singing ladies of the court of Duke Alfonso of Ferrara in the 1580s. The Duke was such an enthusiast of the female voice that he gathered together a Concerto delle Donne comprising the finest sopranos of the day, famed throughout Italy for the beauty of their voices and their ability to execute the most elaborate ornamentation. Concerto delle Donne’s first CD of cantatas and motets by Carissimi (SIGCD040), was released by Signum Records in March 2003.

Concerto delle Donne’s three principal sopranos all sing regularly in early music groups in London as well as performing as soloists in their own right. Donna comes from the USA, where she graduated from Chicago’s Northwestern University. Faye read music at the University of Nottingham before joining the postgraduate early music course at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in 1996. Gill began her singing in the Swansea Bach Choir and studied in Cardiff. Alastair has worked for twenty five years as a herpsichordist and organist based in London. He is principal keyboard player with the Academy of Ancient Music. Both Gill and Alastair are increasingly occupied with furthering and encouraging the musical activities of their four talented sons.