Soprano María Savastano is here “doing a Bartoli”, turning a spotlight on a little-known 18th-century composer. Born in Italy, Giovanni Alberto Ristori spent many years at court in Dresden, where he was live-in music teacher to the crown prince and his wife, Maria Antonia, who wrote the texts for the three cantatas recorded here. She almost certainly performed them too, which means she was no mean singer.
Savastano handles everything with secure confidence and her soprano has a bright, silvery gleam that is appealing even if she seems unwilling to soften its edge for the more contemplative moments. Conducted by Johannes Pramsohler, Ensemble Diderot are lively in accompaniment; we also hear Ristori’s E flat Oboe Concerto, with Jon Olaberria the sweet-toned, sunny soloist. Anyone who has rejoiced at the recent rediscovery of composers such as Hasse will want to hear this.
