Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Back in the last years of the 20th century Antonio Florio set off on a journey of musical discovery as he explored the riches of Italian baroque music. The CD under review, 'Response Mihi', was first released on the early music specialist label Symphonia in 1993, performed by Florio's ensemble Cappella Neapolitana. Florio is still active with his current ensemble I Turchini, all of which makes for a confused and confusing discography. One of the few Latin phrases I can use with confidence is "caveat emptor," "let the buyer beware," and if you already own recordings by Florio you may wish to check the dates and read the small print before inadvertently buying a duplicate. The programme on this disc is divided into three sections, "Officium Defunctorum" or "Liturgy Of The Dead", "Corpus Domini" or "The Body Of The Lord" - more usually given as "Corpus Christi" - and "Nativita" or "Christmas". The featured composers are Gaetano Veneziano (1656-1716), Francesco Provenzale (1624-1704) and their contemporaries, all sourced from the period's active Neapolitan Conservatories, and helpfully explained by scholar Dinko Fabris in the booklet notes. The music is of its time and place. Some find Italian baroque too, well, baroque and prefer the more austere music of Northern Europe but if you like your baroque sunny and bright and perhaps just a little over the top you will enjoy this re-release. The singing from soprano Antonella Ippolito is excellent and the accompanying musicianship from Cappella Neapolitana matches her note for note. While this is indeed a worthwhile re-issue it probably remains too specialist to attract the general listener but if you enjoy baroque then this would be worth investigation.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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