Guild continues releasing extremely interesting choral items from the 18th and 19th centuries and in the process have discovered a number of oratorios and other works that deserve the occasional resurrection. Although it is a fact that Simon Mayr is nothing to write home about, I did enjoy this interesting oratorio that is very well sung by the soloists performing and the energetic direction of Franz Hauk
'Sisara' is set in the Old Testament and refers to a piece of history in the long struggle between the Israelites and the Caananites. Vanessa Barkwoski turns out in excellent voice as Sisara and there are also excellent contributions from Talia Or and Stefanie Braun together with the other soloists. Most of the work is punctuated with recitatives and arias with not much choral work but the work did not bore me at all.
Lovers of rare choral music will definitely enjoy this rare find although the discs are very short at less than 50 minutes each. The recording is fine and serviceable with just the right balance between voices and orchestra. Recommended to those who enjoy rare sacred music.
Copyright © 2005, Gerald Fenech