Search - Francesco Foggia, Bonifazio Graziani, Giuseppe Giamberti :: Vespro della Beata Vergine (Vespers of the Blessed Virgin)

To look at the CD catalog, you might think that all Italian church music after Palestrina came from Venice. Obviously that isn't true--as this recording sets out to demonstrate. These capable French ensembles have gathered together music (mostly omitting the plainchant) that might have been used at a 17th- century Roman Vespers for the Assumption, then one of the most important feasts of the year. The composers, now forgotten, were quite respected in their day; their general style will sound entirely familiar to anyone who knows Cavalli or late Monteverdi. There's very little virtuoso vocal display here--just graceful, reverent writing for duo, trio, and five-voice choir. This disc of previously unknown music may not be revelatory, but it is quite enjoyable. --Matthew Westphal