On this recording of boccherini's Arie da Concerto, the Belgian ensemble Capriola di Gioia defies the stubborn stereotyping of Boccherini as the gallant master of unsurpassable but insignificant melodies. Close listening to this marvellous music reveals a genius with a profound understanding of human psychology, and a rich harmonic palette to paint the smallest affective nuances. In these arias, Boccherini is rehabilitated as a true her of Handel, a worthy contemporary to Haydn, and an early precursor of the belcanto of Bellini. This album is a rare recording of vocal music by Bocchereini, who himself - at the time - was a neglected composer. This album rehabilitates Boccherini as a true heri of Handel, a worthy contemporary to Haydn, and an early precursor of the belcanto of Bellini.
