The performance by the Stradella Consort is excellent, with good sense of phrasing and how the vocal and instrumental lines function together in this sort of mid-century Italian music. The sopranos all sing with a nice, clear tone, and bass Giuseppe Naviglio has a lighter baritone that fits the music well, particularly in the ensembles. In short, this is a fine disc and worthy of the composer.

Leslie Visco (Circe), Anna Chierichetti (Zephyrus) and Giuseppe Naviglio (Algidus) are in excellent form and are also stylistically convincing. These two pieces are very entertaining, and their recording is well deserved. They prove that Stradella was an outstanding composer for the voice...and had a good sense for drama.

Elegance extends to Velardi’s way with rhythm and tempo: he never hustles this delicate music, while keeping the short vocal ensembles alert…an enticing enchantment for Stradella’s growing band of captives.