MOZART: Il Rè Pastore (Brillant Opera Collection) [CD de audio] Musica ad Rhenum, Mozart and Jed Wentz

In addition to his mastery of instrumental and sacred works, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is one of the most celebrated operatic composers in the history of music. In Il rè pastore, a relatively early work by the then nineteen-year-old composer, we see the beginnings of the genius of a man who would later become a true master of the genre. Il rè pastore was commissioned in 1775 for the visit of Archduke Maximilian Francis of Austria to Salzburg. Written in just six weeks, the opera is based on a libretto by Pietro Metastasio in which Alexander the Great (Alessandro) discovers that the young shepherd Aminta is the rightful heir to the throne, taking it upon himself to restore the boy to power. Regardless of the composer's youth, several moments in the opera show hints of a more mature Mozart, including the aria Lamerò sarò costante in which a moving vocal line and aged string arrangements combine with a moving vocal line. Another highlight is the glorious ensemble finale to Act II, a feature that would become a vital feature of Mozart's later operas. Musica ad Rhenum has earned a special place in the world of early music, with critics describing the ensemble's performances as avant-garde and exciting. The group is joined by a fantastic ensemble of vocal soloists, with Johanette Zomer taking on the role of Aminta and Alexei Gregoriev playing Alexander the Great.