This collection of arias include pieces from Gluck’s earlier operas, Il Tigrane, Poro, La Sofonisba, and L’Ippolito. It’s a great testament to the composer’s productivity during the period between 1743 and 1745. At 30, Gluck was already an established composer, and his operas were performed at significant events in Crema, Turin, and Milan. During this period, he had not yet composed his monumental compositions such as Orpheus and Euridice, Paride ed Elena, and Alceste, which would secure his legacy in the history of music and be associated with the opera reform that he conceptualised with Ranieri de’ Calzabigi.

Unfortunately, the autographs of these arias no longer exist, along with the scores of the entire operas. Only fragments from the grand performances of the time remain, sometimes with only basso continuo accompaniment. To preserve the authenticity of the original performance, arias with existing orchestral part have been chosen, except for the aria Se viver non poss’io from the opera Poro which has been orchestrated from the basso continuo and some indication of the first violin motif. Unfortunately, complete scores of the opera Poro no longer exist.

The curator of this work, is mezzo-soprano Elena De Simone, , accompanied here by the Il Mosaico ensemble. She has earned acclaim for her noteworthy efforts in uncovering the works of esteemed composers like Hasse and Maria Teresa Agnesi, as highlighted in previous releases (TC690801, TC720101, and TC720102).