What about the Chitarrone?

[Alexander MacAllister]

Hi,

I find mch of interest about the Baroque guitar here. A while ago an article in Classical Guitar magazine which pointed out that the chitarrone was developed as an extended range instrument designedto compete with the lute, but having cultural roots from Europe rather the Arab states. The first names were apparenly chitarrone and chitarra teorbata. This last was abbreviated to theorbo, and subsequently the guitar connection was marginalised and almost forgotten. It is prhaps significant that Robert de Visée played guitar and theorbe, but not lute? I am curious - any thoughts out there?