After the revelatory impact of Caldara’s oratorio Maddalena ai piedi di Cristo (Harmonia Mundi, 11/96), which has fired all who have heard it with enthusiasm, expectation ran high for this Christmas cantata of his (written some 12 years later). More modest in its forces and with far less room to spread itself (nearly all the 14 arias last less than four minutes), it does not reach such inspirational heights, yet still displays a vital melodic invention. The text of the cantata, which had an involved political background (three full accounts of which can be read in the different English, French and German notes), centres on Human Heart’s desire for peace after war; it is pointed out that this depends on humanity’s repentance for its misdeeds. While Justice implacably demands punishment, Divine Love offers hope through the birth of the Christ-child. Caldara responds imaginatively to the diverse affects of the solos – which the present cast deliver and ornament in stylish fashion. Mary Enid Haines makes an angelically pure-voiced Divine Love; Jennifer Lane, as Justice, projects strongly and characterfully in two florid vengeful arias, and is a model for meaningful words; the singer of the character Peace does not, alas, emulate her in this respect, though in her lyrical arias the actual voice is pretty. The tenor, unfortunately, has an uningratiating tone, but he deals satisfactorily with the flexible lines he is given; a pity that his very first entry is so loud in relation to the preceding instrumental introduction.
The two sinfonias, each consisting of two pairs of slow-fast movements, on this disc were the opening movements to later oratorios by Caldara – at least the first halves in each case were: the added two movements are by an unknown hand. They are well-crafted music, contrapuntal in style, with a striking initial Adagio for Sant’Elena and vivacious Allegros for San Pietro. The Toronto-based Aradia Ensemble offer bright, pointed playing in excellent style that brings out the music’s attractive qualities.'