Nicola Porpora (1686-1768) was famous in his day as a teacher and composer. Indeed. Today Porpora is remembered chiefly as the teacher of Farinelli. But artists such as Cecilia Bartoli and Simone Kermes have recorded excerpts from Porpora operas giving tantalising glimpses into a florid and uncompromising style, which in spirit recalls Godowsky’s studies after Chopin’s études.

Luckily this recording features some of the most artistically and technically gifted singers in the business, including countertenor Max Emanuel Cencˇic´ (Germanico), Mary-Ellen Nesi (Arminio) and Julia Lezhneva (Ersinda), and the singing is truly spectacular. Which is a good thing, because to be honest Niccolò Coluzzi’s libretto, which tells of the defiance of...