REINHARD KEISER (1674-1739): Pomona

Description: Dating from 1702 this Sing-spiel is without plot - it's just a series of characters representing aspects of the seasons competing in a contest overseen by Jupiter. No convolutions, no confused lovers, just 74 recitatives and arias which are character studies of widely varying types with corresponding musical ingenuity - with an overture and five short dances interspersed, the whole thing takes just over two hours. 2 CDs. German-English libretto. Melanie Hirsch, Doerthe Maria Sandmann (sopranos), Olivia Vermeulen (mezzo), Julian Podger, Jan Kobow (tenors), Raimons Spogis (baritone), Capella Orlandi Bremen; Thomas Ihlenfeldt.