Hyperion Records

The opening Adagio of Colista’s Sinfonia a 3, W-K32, acts as an introduction to the second act and serves to express the pomp of the birthday celebrations. Later in the act (track 29) the Largo of the same piece, with its tortured, chromatic saraband rhythm, fittingly describes the drama of the decapitation (an event not set by Stradella). Finally, we have placed the Allegro from the same Sinfonia at the close of the oratorio. This gives Salome the very last word, and it allows us to imagine her leaving the stage victoriously or dancing voluptuously.

from notes by Alessandro de Marchi © 2008
English: Hugh Ward-Perkins