Search - Camilla de Rossi, Manfred Cordes, Weser-Renaissance :: Rossi: Il Sacrifizio di Abramo / Cordes

Another Italian Baroque Discovery

R. Holmes | East Boston, MA USA | 07/12/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a thoroughly pleasant and often moving example of Italian Baroque Oratorio. At this time, the height of the Italian Baroque, there were many great masters working simultaneously. I had just heard of Luigi Rossi when I came upon Camilla Di Rossi (no relation?). While she may not be familiar to all lovers of this genre, she should be given a hearing. It seems that at this time and in this place (Italy) the talent had no bottom, there was no bad music. Like the Elizabethan playwrites, every Italian composer of the time has his and in this case her masterpiece which rewards a hearing. The performance is admirable throughout. I would like especially point out the alternation of harpsichord, guitar and violin continuo in the overall arrangement and sound mix, which keeps the continuo from being too much of a piece. While this particular piece does not reach the level of the great masterpieces of the era, it is a lovely, simple and straightforward presentation that will reward a good listening."