Monteclair / La Mort De Didon

The cantata did not make its appearance in France until 1706, with Morin. However, the genre had a skillful precursor in the person of Michel Pignolet de Monteclair, who did not have to wait for the 18th century before publishing (in 1695) a "scene avec recitatif." Midway between the classicism of the Grand Siecle of Louis XIV and the Italian model, the cantata was one of his favorite forms. This predominately orchestral composer, who became famous with his opera Jepthe (which made a deep impression on Rameau) wrote no fewer than 25 cantatas, 5 of which are recorded on this disc.