SAVERIO MERCADANTE (1795-1860): Mass for Large Orchestra and Four Voices (World Premiere Recording), Requiem breve for Chorus.

Description: Like most Italian sacred music of the period composed by opera composers, this 1828 mass uses operatic vocal styles with its attractive melodic expressiveness (the Gratias agimus tibi starts out like a horn concerto and the solo instrument sticks around as obbligato accompanist). No information in the booklet at all about the much more traditionally sacred-sounding Requiem. Annarita Di Giovine Ardito (soprano), Angela Bonfitto (mezzo), Vincenzo De Donato (tenor), Matteo d'Apolito (bass), Orchestra and Chorus Cappella Musicale Iconavetere; Agostino Ruscillo.