Album: Handel/Caldera, Carmelite Vespers 1709 – De Marchi (Deutsche Harmonia Mundi)

Alessandro De Marchi's vivacious double-disc brings together music for the Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel by Handel and the composer who succeeded him as favourite of Cardinal Ruspoli, Antonio Caldara.

Interpolated with plainchant, the psalms dovetail sweetly, the playing is supple, the choir bright, sopranos Roberta Invernizzi and Robin Johannsen delicious. Antonio Abete's creaky "Dominus a Dextris Tuis" is the only disappointment.