In the time of Handel and Bach, the vast majority of the opera repertoire was composed in the Neapolitan style. In the conservatories of Naples, singers and composers were continuously cultivated to make a career in European opera theaters. The most important poet was Metastasio. Everything was dominated by the art of singing that was developed to an optimum by the castrati. Popular arias about
… nature in which singers and woodwinds imitated the singing of birds; storm arias in which the fierce waves and strong winds were imitated, and arias of rage in which singers did not get out of breath despite a relentlessly propelling rhythmic pulse. Famous composers were Pergolesi, Porpora, Vinci, Leo and Hasse. They have been forgotten for a long time but there is interest in their music again. This may be due to a surplus of technically highly skilled singers, who are looking for unknown and challenging repertoire. Like the German soprano Simone Kermes who, thanks to her beautiful voice and dramatic qualities, easily captivates a CD for a long time. Nice album for fans. (CP)more
