Album: La Capella Reial de Catalunya, Hesperion XXI, Jordi Savall, Dinastia Borgia (Alia Vox)

Dinastia Borgia is a musical odyssey tracing the history of the Borgias from the birth of Alfonso de Borgia in the 14th century, through his accession to the Papacy and the subsequent twists and turns of theocratic intrigue.

Linked by spoken interludes, it's a journey that shifts stylistically from early Moorish oud and saz pieces, through courtly dances and various strains of religious chorale, all expertly delivered by the Catalonian Royal Choir and Hespèrion XXI, an early music ensemble of great range. Presented in book form on three CDs and one DVD, it's annotated with musicological essays in six different languages, a weighty tome in all senses.

DOWNLOAD THIS Billadi Askara Min adbi Llama; Adoramus te; Fortuna desperata