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 writers in music history. In Il rè pastore, a relatively early opera from the then nineteenyearold composer, we see the beginnings of genius in a man who was later to become a true master of the genre. Il rè pastore was commissioned in 1775 for the visit of Austrias Archduke Maximilian Franz 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 young shepherd Aminta is the rightful heir to the throne, taking it upon himself to restore the boy to power. Regardless of the composers youth, several moments in the opera show hints of the more mature Mozart, including the aria Lamerò sarò costante in which rippling strings and lush orchestration are combined with a poignant, yearning vocal line. Another highlight is the glorious ensemble finale of Act II, a feature that woul