's is among the standards of 18th century sacred music, and 's alto cantata , is hardly less known. There are plenty of recordings available for both, but this one from the small Baroque orchestra , marking that group's debut on the label, is a real standout. The soloists, countertenor on the alto part and (in the ) soprano , are excellent, with voices that match in a way, having a penetrating quality that brings out the details of their lines in duets. The real stars, though, are the ensemble players themselves performing without a conductor. 's mentor, , criticized for being too operatic and indeed too similar to the music in 's comic opera . However, that is exactly the key to the work, to its exuberance in the midst of tragedy. The players of set a suspenseful mood in the opening measures of the famous opening duet, and if "Fac, ut ardeat" does sound like an operatic love duet, that may be an entirely accurate interpretation. alone does not flag in the ; sample the gorgeous and entirely original "Cum dederit," one of 's masterstrokes of simplicity, for a taste of his voice at its best. 's sound from the Schellingwouderkerk in Amsterdam is ideal, and it is no surprise that this release made classical best-seller lists in the spring of 2024. ~ James Manheim