Not much is known about Sebastiano Moratelli’s life, and his entire oeuvre, which is supposed to have included a number of operas and serenades, until recently was thought to have been lost. The rediscovery of the score of La “faretra smarrita” in the library of the Counts of Toerring-Jettenbach therefore amounts to a sensation. It finally allows us to form an impression of Moratelli’s compositional capabilities in their mature stage and of the “expressive power and naturalness” of his music so greatly esteemed by his contemporaries.
Moratelli, who came from Italy to Vienna before 1660, served as imperial chamber music director and music teacher to the Archduchess Anna Maria Josepha. On her marriage to Johann Wilhelm, Moratelli went along to Düsseldorf in 1679 and remained a member of the court there until his death.
In FURY / MERCY, soprano Channa Malkin and early music ensemble La Sfera Armoniosa under the direction of Mike Fentross present a deeply personal and emotionally charged exploration of Antonio Vivaldi’s vocal and instrumental works. Moving seamlessly between operatic arias, sacred motets, and concerti, this album delves into the extremes of the human emotional spectrum—from searing rage to tender compassion. The program opens with music from La fida ninfa, where betrayal and longing unfold through heartbreakingly intimate arias. It then journeys through the thunderous outcry of Armatae face et anguibus from Juditha Triumphans, into the serene and redemptive beauty of the motet In furore iustissimae irae. Along the way, the album draws on lesser-known Vivaldi gems—such as the Concerto in D Minor “Madrigalesco”—all chosen and interpreted with the intent to reveal the transformative power of emotion through music.
Chronological development of popular music from 1960 to 1997, the impact of social change on the text and style of music. Immerse yourself in a nostalgic trip, remember how it was different before. For the older generation it - a memory, a wonderful meeting with the youth and for the young - a unique opportunity to hear music that is virtually nowhere is not sound.
GREATEST EVER! is Union Square Music’s select, best-selling label, utilising the very best repertoire from key major labels, Greatest Ever’s 3CD box sets are some of the strongest multi-artist compilations on the market, with the greatest ever songs.