Pergolesi: Adriano in Siria

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, known mostly for his famous Stabat Mater, also wrote four opera seria before his early death at the age of 26. With a libretto by Metastasio, Adriano in Siria is a complicated tale of love set within a problematic political backdrop. The opera enjoyed a lavish premiere in 1734 starring the great mezzo-soprano castrato, Caffarelli. To play the same role (Farnaspe), Decca's new recording features the modern-day Caffarelli - Franco Fagioli.