GIOVANNI PAOLO COLONNA (1637-1695): Psalmi ad vesperas for 5 Soloists, Choir and Strings, Op. 12.

Description: Composed around 1690, Colonna's vespers service covered the prescribed cycles of psalms needed for any church occasion (several are left out here since not all would have been performed at any one service), both large- and small-scale with sparkling operatic solo passages as well as finely wrought contrapuntal movements. The instrumentalists (period instruments) are violins, violas, gambas, cellos, violone harp, theorbo and organ. Melissa Givens, Kelli Shircliffe (sopranos), Ryland Angel (countertenor), Eduardo Tercero (tenor), Matthew Treviño (bass), Houston Chamber Choir and Orchestra; Robert Simpson.