Play of the Soul and the Body--Cavalieri, born mid-sixteenth century in Rome, died 1602 in Rome, was General Director of the Tuscan Court in Florence in 1588. He belonged to the circle of "Camerata Fiorentina," which brought a great innovation in Western music: the "Nuove Musiche" (New Music), a special new manner which had a hypnotic effect on the whole audience. His Rappresentazione was performed twice in Rome in 1600. Fifteen Cardinals were present at the first performance. It was the first work written in a recitatio style. It is a religious play, related to the medieval "mystery plays," especially to the morality play Everyman. It is Buddhistic in basic theme--the human soul, blinded by worldly life and deceived by pleasures, finally has a revelation of the transitoriness and shallowness; then it rises to the higher experience, the sphere of true happiness, of angelic hosts and eternal peace.
-- Notebooks Category 14: The Arts in Culture > Chapter 4 : Reflections On Specific Arts > # 318
