78. Coffee Concert

Aminta e Fillide is one only seven cantatas that Handel composed for more than one singer. Aminta is a shepherd who woos and (unusually for these cantatas) eventually wins the shepherdess Fillide. The first performance is thought to have taken place in Prince Ruspoli gardens (Handel was good at snaring aristocratic patrons) at the first meeting of the Arcadian Academy with Margherita Durastanti taking one of the roles. There are ten arias with recitatives and the duet to finish. Pure delight from beginning to end.

All works performed by Contrasto Armonico Rachel Kelly Beatrice Palumbo