Motets Napolitains

"Naples was the European capital of music, with its conservatories forming almost all the great voices of the century: let us simply mention Nicola Porpora, a brilliant composter and above all an illustrious teacher whose most famous student was Farinelli himself. The music heard in the city's churches was obviously tailored to the incredible technical abilities of the sacred monsters of that time. This is what is apparent in this first album by contralto Anthea Pichanick, who puts her unique timbre and flamboyant virtuosity at the service of these rare scores. The Turbido cælo mare furentes motets by Leonardo Leo and Regina Cæli by Nicola Porpora, two world premieres, perfectly illustrate Naples' immoderate love of pyrotechnics and sublime melodies, moving seamlessly from one to the other.

Under the direction of their conductor and founder Thibault Noally, a first-rate violinist whose bow seems to be a second voice, Les Accents weaves a setting that is both solar and twilight in turn."