Mercadante: Clarinet Concertos & Sinfonias concertantes

Although not a house-hold name now, Saverio Mercadante [1795-1870] was an eminent composer in his day and was responsible for over 90 operas and much sacred and instrumental music. His music was admired by Rossini, Bellini and particularly Verdi. His Clarinet Concertos are wonderful examples of the light Italian operatic genre-brilliantly written for the soloist with many opportunities for virtuoso display. To perform these works the distinguished Italian clarinettist Luigi Magistrelli is joined by the Chamber Orchestra of Lecco, conducted by Pierangelo Gelmini.