Alessandro Melani is one of the most underrated composers of the Seventeenth Century. Very little is known about him but he left behind a treasure trove of church music and operas. One of his most famous works, the mini opera L’Europa, is featured on this recording. The music is fresh and imaginative and certainly proves Melani deserved a prominent place in early music repertoire.

Selected sacred compositions round off CPO’s portrait of this almost entirely forgotten composer. They are performed by the critically acclaimed Das Kleine Konzert and Hermann Max, an ensemble and conductor who have established themselves as masters in the art of performing early music.