by Chia Han-Leon

The opening overture on this disc sounds like ... Vivaldi! This is not surprising, since Caldara was (left) a Venetian-born contemporary. What is surprising is the relative obscurity of the latter, considering his very obvious melodic and compositional talents, and his legacy of eighty-seven operas and forty oratorios.

Left: Anonymous portrait of Antonio Caldara.

Every year in Baroque Rome from about 1676 till 1740, a composer was selected to provide music for Christmas celebrations in the Palazzo Apostolico. In 1713 came Caldara's turn. What he provided was Vaticini di Pace (Prophecies of Peace), otherwise known as his Christmas Cantata. The story of the cantata involves the allegorical characters of Amor Divino (Divine Love), Pace (Peace), Giustitia (Justice) and Core umano (Human Heart), essentially Everyman the Every-student. They contemplate and argue about the means by which to achieve spiritual peace and, in the end, avenging Justice is tempered with merciful Peace.

But never mind that - the music and singing are simply gorgeous, especially for the measly less-than-$10 price tag. By turns Vivaldian and Handelian, Caldara makes good the devices of Baroque vocal music. All four singers sing with beautiful tone and excellent Baroque style, worthy of current "authentic" practice. Listen to the first tenor aria, Pace bella ridi a noi (Fair Peace, smile on us) and go on to the superbly- crafted Vuoi Pace al Core (If you want peace at heart) for soprano on track 6.

The two sopranos get some of the most exquisite arias in the cantata. The 5-minute lullaby Quel Pargoletto ("That babe, little child, that you hear crying"), serenely sung by Dayiantis-Straub, is the one most ravishing aria that caused this writer to buy this disc without hesitation. Even stern Justice is defeated by "such a loving sound" - readers familiar with names in the singing circles might be surprised by the appearance of Jennifer Lane, a well-known mezzo with a rich discography. Her Giustitia is appropriately strict but never fierce, singing a beautiful aria in humbled response to the crying of the infant Christ.

I had previously not heard the 15-piece Aradia Baroque Ensemble of strings and continuo (including organ, harpsichord and theorbo), and am therefore happy to report that they play stylishly with refined skill, and are very appealing and never abrasive (the usual accusation levelled at period ensembles). It comes as no surprise that their director Kevin Mallon has studied with John Eliot Gardiner of Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists fame. What's more, Naxos' engineers have done a superb job of capturing every instrument's every note, perfectly-balanced. Naxos is cheap in price, but not cheap in quality!

Caldara's Maddalena ai piedi di Cristo

In Singapore, this disc can be purchased at Borders Bookstore (Wheelock Place, or ordered from Tower (Pacific Plaza), Sing Discs (Raffles City) or HMV (The Heeren).

Chia Han-Leon admits to having an enjoyable weakness for sexy female voices, on or off record.

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027: 21.2.97. up.12.2.1999 ©Chia Han-Leon

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