Venice's four famous"Ospedali" – houses for orphans with a fundamental musical education and outstanding music ensembles and soloists – were among the city's most important...

Venice's four famous"Ospedali" – houses for orphans with a fundamental musical education and outstanding music ensembles and soloists – were among the city's most important cultural institutions for a long time. Many prominent musicians worked at the Ospedali, including the famous singer, singing teacher and opera composer Nicola Porpora. He worked at three of the four Ospedali between 1729 and 1747. At the so-called"Ospedaletto", he taught singing to several female students and also met the highly talented singer Angiola Moro, known as"Anzoletta". Porpora created some of the most demanding solo roles for her during his time at the Ospedaletto. The mezzo-soprano José Maria Lo Monaco, who has performed as an opera soloist (not only in baroque operas) on the world's great stages, has taken on"Anzoletta's" parts and presents two cantatas and a Salve Regina on this recording. She is accompanied by the Ensemble Stile Galante under the direction of Stefano Aresi, which completes the program with Porpora's cello concerto, interpreted by Agnieszka Oszanca.