Stour Music 2023: Reining in the Donkey | 4 choir mass

17th century Rome saw incredible musical invention alongside a thriving freelance musical culture. On feast days the best singers would augment the regular ensembles at St Peter’s and other churches to enable multi choir extravaganzas. Orazio Benevoli (son of a pastry chef) was a ‘fixer’ for these occasions - and the most brilliant composer of four choir masses.

He was also master of the technique known as ‘sostenere la mula’ (reining in the donkey) which you will hear! Benevoli has almost disappeared from music history but Carissimi has fared better, notably with his bijou oratorio Jephte, with strongly drawn characters, echo effects and ravishing final chorus.

Stour Music 2023