Tenaglia's Aria has been arranged for many instruments and instrumental combinations, and this edition by Edouard Nanny (1872-1942) for double bass and piano is now available with piano accompaniments for both solo and orchestral tunings for the first time.

The aria is lyrical and dramatic by turns and makes effective use of the solo register of the double bass. Its C minor/major tonalities create a musical tension and interest and there are numerous musical and technical challenges for the advanced bassist and demonstrates the lyrical, cantabile and sonorous qualities of the double bass.

The outer sections are from the Aria 'Begli occhi, merce' and the score states the middle section was composed by Franz Ries (1846-1932), who also made an edition for violin or cello solo and piano. This aria was first published in a collection of old Italian music by The Cecilia Society in Copenhagen in about 1855 and in an English translation, 'Take pity, sweet eyes' by Mary A. Robinson in 1881-2.

Italian composer, keyboard player and lutenist, Antonio Francesco Tenaglia was born in Florence c.161-1620 and died in Rome after 1661. He spent much of his career in Rome and he was a leading composer of solo cantatas, and over 60 have survived. He also composed a number of operas and madrigals, some published during his lifetime.

French bassist-teacher-composer, Edouard Nanny (1872-1942) transcribed many works for double bass and Recital Music are planning to publish a number of these alongside new editions of his original works for double bass and educational music.