La Passione di Gesu Cristo Signor Nostro (1999)

"Caldaras dramatic music seems eminently worth revival. This Passion joins one other recorded oratorio from the 43 he wrote. There are 90 operas, too, not one recorded. Caldara is an appealing melodist, no mean contrapuntist, and a vivid crafter of expressive lines. Though the first performance, in Vienna in 1730, was lavishly staged, the Passion drama is static four characters meditate throughout on the agony of the crucifixion and the hope of resurrection. Metastasios text is vivid, sometimes graphically gory, in the descriptive recitative. In this rare and precious glimpse of Caldaras poignant and colourful music, Foresti is a fine bass, Polverellis richly female contralto less convincing as Peter, originally a castrato role. Petibon (Magdalena) is endearing if occasionally hard-edged, a quality emphasised by some oppressive recorded sound. The choral texture is rather dense, the orchestral playing crisp and stylish." (George Pratt, BBC Music Magazine)

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