Here is another volume, the ninth, in Opus 111's fascinating survey of music by Neapolitan composers, so far mainly from the 18th century, the most brilliant period in the musical history of Naples. The pieces in this programme span almost the entire century, Nicola Porpora being the earliest representative and Nicola Sabatino the latest. Jommelli, the best known among them sits comfortably in mid-century and is represented by two sacred vocal pieces and two instrumental items. Though by no means all of the music on the disc was composed either at or for Naples, it was the work of these composers, among many other Neapolitans, who put Italian vocal music on the international map.
One of the most impressive works in the programme is Sabatino's motet for soprano and strings, Vola turtur de nido ('The dove is flying from the nest'). Its scale, embracing four pairs of recitatives and extended arias, has outgrown the standard Italian motet of the time and might more justly be considered a cantata. Dating from 1729 it betrays many transitional features, looking both backwards and to the future. The blend often results in pleasing tensions giving the music a piquancy and expressive distinction.
Soloist Roberta Invernizzi sings with virtuosity and delicacy of feeling. There is plenty of word-painting here and she highlights it tastefully and, where called for, with effortless virtuosity. A fine example of her technical ability is afforded by the brilliantly cast 'Alleluia!'. By striking and surprising contrast the Veni Creator Spiritus of Jommelli gets off to a poor start. Here Invernizzi's tone is hard, and the vocal timbre unappealing. But this is a brief moment in an otherwise engaging and well-performed sequence of effectively contrasted items. Musical inspiration is variable, but listeners are unlikely to be disappointed by the Sabatino which occupies almost exactly one third of the entire programme. And the finale of the little sinfonia by Jommelli, with oboes, horns and strings, is appealingly playful.'