An outstanding Italian musican, Stefano Demicheli has been René Jacobs' closest assistant for many years and with him has performed on Europe's main opera stages. A distinguished harpsichordist, who studied with Ottavio Dantone, he is now the leader of the Dolce & Tempesta ensemble, consisting of the best soloists from the European period instrument ensembles.This new recording on Fuga Libera gives us the world première of the three Notturni composed c.1740 by Porpora, Handel's strongest rival in London, for the All Souls Day in Naples. Carried by one of the most powerfully expressive texts in the Christian canon, this is an opportunity to hear two stunning soloists: Monica Piccinini and Romina Basso and also the Stagione Armonica of Padova.
Interpolated are the two highly seductive Sinfoniae by Fiorenza, which give the finishing touch to this unique release. A real discovery!
Nicola Porpora: Notturno dei defonti No. 1
Lezione I: Parce mihi Domine (Soprano)
Responsorio: Credo quod Redemptor meus vivit
Lezione II: Taedet animam meam (Alto)
Responsorio: Qui Lazarum resuscitasti
Lezione III: Manus tuae fecerunt me (Soprano)
Responsorio: Domine quando veneris
Nicola Fiorenza: Sinfonia in F minor
I. Largo
II. Allegro
III. Largo
IV. Allegro
Nicola Porpora: Notturno dei defonti No. 2
Lezione I: Responde mihi (Soprano)
Responsorio: Memento mei Deus
Lezione II: Homo natus de muliere (Soprano)
Responsorio: Hei mihi Domine
Lezione III: Quis mihi hoc tribuat (Alto)
Responsorio: Ne recorderis
Nicola Fiorenza: Sinfonia for Cello and Violins in F major