Stradella: Oratorium San Giovanni

The music by Alessandro Stradella (1639-1682) is gaining rapidly in
recognition and popularity. The composer’s extremely adventurous life
(he was an aristocratic lady-killer, who himself was murdered in the end by
a revengeful rival) and his equally adventurous music presents a forceful
image of a fascinating and important figure of the Italian Baroque.
? Stradella is one of the most important composers of dramatic sacred
works in 17-th century Italy. San Giovanni Crisostomo is a large scale
oratorio, in lyrical vocal style: long and florid cantabile phrases,
uninterrupted by frequent cadences and a subtle characterisation of the
psychology of the dramatis personae.
? Excellent performances by Harmonices Mundi conducted by Claudio
Astronio, who already recorded three Stradella CD’s for Brilliant classics:
the oratorio La Susanna (BC94345), Duets (with Emma Kirkby and Susanne
Rydén, BC94343) and Italian Arias (BC94258).
? The booklet contains extensive liner notes written by a scholar, and the
full libretto in the original language.