Motets napolitains

Description

Naples was the European capital of music, its conservatories training almost all the great voices of the century: let us simply mention Nicola Porpora, a brilliant composer and especially an illustrious teacher whose most famous student was Farinelli himself. The music that was heard in the city's churches was clearly tailored to the incredible technical abilities of the sacred monsters of that time. This is what shines through in this first album by the contralto Anthea Pichanick, who brings her unique timbre and dazzling virtuosity to the service of these rare scores. The motets Turbido cælo mare furentes by Leonardo Leo and Regina Cæli by Nicola Porpora, two world premieres, perfectly illustrate Naples' unrestrained love for pyrotechnics and sublime melodies, transitioning seamlessly from one to the other. Under the direction of their conductor and founder Thibault Noally, a first-rate violinist whose bow seems to be a second voice, Les Accents weave a setting that is alternately sunny and twilight.