ALESSANDRO STRADELLA (c.1645-1682): Santa Pelagia.

Description: Syrian dancing girl has 66 minutes of philosophical give and take with Religion, The World and Bishop Nonnus and decides that being a hermit in a cave on the Mount of Olives is just the thing for her. No Stradellan dramatics here - just beautiful lyricism and melody in 27 arias and 27 recitiatives (12 of the arias for Pelagia). Two violins, viola and continuo accompany with a trumpet for festive punctuation. Italian-English texts. Laura Antonaz (soprano), Alessandro Carmignani (contralto), Fabio Furnari (tenor), Walter Testolin (bass), "Festina Lente" Vocal Ensemble, I Musici di Santa Pelagia; Maurizio Fornero.