JJohann Gottlieb Naumann, a contemporary of Joseph Haydn, was associated with Dresden, worked in Sweden and travelled in Italy. In his Passione di Gesù Cristo he concentrates on smaller scale emotions and conflicts – albeit in the context of the (conventional) Passion story. It was written, probably, in 1767. That’s quite an undertaking for a twenty-six year old, although Naumann already had several other vocal and choral successes to his name.

When it comes to old Italian vocal music, the Italian choir "La Stagione Armonica" from Padua under the direction of Sergio Balestracci has proven its high musical level several times. After the recording with responsories, which Alessandro Scarlatti composed for Good Saturday, the follow-up album with Scarlatti's responsories for Good Friday is now released.

Mateo Flecha the elder (1481–1553), better known than his son, composed ensaladas from 1543 to 1548, when he was in charge of music for Maria and Juana, the two daughters of Charles V; his service ended when Maria married her cousin, the future Maximilian II. The form, popular in 16th-century Spain, consisted of a narrative interrupted by quotations of other texts, making up a “salad” that could be varied according to the composer’s taste. They were invariably centered on the themes of Advent and Christmas. Six of these works have been available on disc in multiple versions, notably collections by Paul van Nevel La justa tells the story of redemption as a knightly tournament in which Lucifer defeats Adam and in turn is overcome by the newborn Savior.

Retrouvailles importantes pour l'histoire de l'opéra que cet enregistrement de la première Clemenzo di Tito, l'un des plus fameux livrets de Pietro Metastasio, immortalisé par Mozart et Gluck. Antonio Caldara, le " Bach italien" installé à Vienne à la cour de Charles VI après une carrière à Barcelone, est un jalon musical essentiel entre Scarlatti, Porpora et les classiques viennois. Il partagera avec Metastasio, poète lauréat, le devant de la scène autrichienne pendant vingt ans. A l'écoute de certains numéros de cette oeuvre donnée le 4novembre 1734 dans des décors de Giuseppe Galli Bibiena, on comprend l'impact de Caldara comme compositeur lyrique…