Sei duetti sacri

Besetzung: SA, SA, SS, SS, SB, SA, Basso Continuo (organ)

These six Latin chamber duets are among the last masterpieces of Nicolò Porpora. The were written in Vienna in 1754, but dedicated to the Court of Saxony, and first performed in Dresden.

These fascinating pieces (written in the form of dacapo-arias for two voices and continuo) fit very well the genre of the Italian chambre duet as very refined, demanding compositions, both for performers and listeners, requiring them to grasp the subtleties that were expetced to characterize them.

But elaborate counterpoint, daring harmonies and virtuosic writing serve only to enhance the effect of the tragic texts, dealing with the passion of Christ, and the result are intimate works of stunning beauty.