This recording dates from 1976 and the completed Mass from 1837. More than half of it was written in an earlier period of Donizetti's life, and one of its movements, the ''Cum sancto spirito'', comes from a version composed in 1817, substituted here by the editor because the manuscript proved illegible. This was a tragic year for Donizetti, culminating in the death of Virginia, his wife, at the age of 29. Though he worked hard as ever and completed Maria di Rudenz in time for its opening in Venice, he confessed that he found it hard-going, and the extra commissions which he had to fulfil can hardly have been a labour of love. This Mass, consisting of a Kyrie, Gloria and Credo, was put together for a performance in Naples. It then rested, the manuscript remaining in a museum there for 140 years, until it was prepared for its second performance, heard in this recording.
It's a pity the recording itself is not sharper in definition. The orchestral and choral work is thoroughly efficient, though the choir is too ethereal in tone to bring out what is distinctively Italian in the work. Roland Bader conducts with taste and skill, and at least one of his soloists is a pleasure to hear (I can't with confidence name her, because the solos are not individually ascribed and either or both of the women could be the soprano or the mezzo: whichever of them sings the ''Laudamus te'' has quite a lovely voice, whereas the soloist in the ''Qui sedes'', though possibly having the more difficult music, is somewhat tremulous and edgy). The bass, whose solo is the most typical of its composer, needs a richer, more Italianate tone and a more even style of production.
The music itself, I should say, rises to no great height of inspitation, but two things impress: one is the workmanlike quality of much of the writing for choir and orchestra, not a world away from the Masses of Haydn and Mozart, and the other is the ''Cum sancto spirito'' dug up by the editor. One can only hope that it does not count against Donizetti as that sin from which there is no forgiveness, for it is as jolly as a hunting chorus and the ''Amen''s romp home like children let out of school early.'