Antonio Sacchini
's
L'abbandono delle ricchezze di S. Filippo Neri
was composed in 1765 for a semi-private occasion and, like much of the other Italian sacred music of the last part of the 18th century, has been known only to the deepest of specialists. The notes here bill it as "an oratorio about the father of oratorio" -- the saint Filippo Neri was associated with the emergence of a declamatory style in the late 16th century -- but
Sacchini
called it an azione sacra ("sacred drama"), and indeed, it is an opera in all but name, with a succession of fizzy arias of basically similar sunny tone, separated by recitatives. The title means "
The Renunciation of Riches by Saint Filippo Neri
," and the tale dramatizes an episode from the saint's life in allegorical form. Filippo, perhaps because of his youth at the time, is sung by a soprano, as is Poverta ("Poverty"). The most attractive feature of the work is the writing for these two, effectively brought to life by sopranos
Yeree Suh
and
Ketevan Chuntishvili
. These two, one a veteran and the other a newcomer, make an admirably contrasting pair in the duet "Tanta dolcezza O Dio!" at the end of the first part. There are also parts for Splendor and Deception, and these are ably handled by tenor
Markus Schaefer
and bass
Daniel Ochoa
. Another point of interest is the recitatives, divided between harpsichord and organ accompaniment. Conductor
Franz Hauk
, leading the ensemble
Concerto de Bassus
, keeps things moving and does not try to find more in the music than is there. Vocal aficionados and lovers of the early Classical period will find enjoyment here. ~ James Manheim