Weser-Renaissance * Sacred Cantatas [New CD]

With this album, we enter into the court of the Swedish Queen Christina (1626-1689), who distinguished herself with her passions for the arts and sciences, but also through her exceedingly extravagant court life. A few years before her spectacular abdication and return to Catholicism (1654), she had employed an Italian opera ensemble including the Roman singer Domenico Albrici and his 21-year-old son Vincenzo. The latter had already made a name for himself at home and, within a few years in Sweden, composed many excellent vocal works. Together with several instrumental pieces, these survive in the famous Düben collection at Uppsala University. From around three dozen titles, Manfred Cordes has selected a beautifully melodious anthology, which has become an unmistakable hallmark of Weser Renaissance.