Apollo Et Dafne

Carl Heinrich Graun, like other Italian-influenced or Italian-trained German composers of his time, composed Italian cantatas throughout his entire creative period. The three cantatas belong to a small group in Graun's output, for soprano. The greater part of his 38 positively attributed Italian cantatas were composed for tenor, and thus probably for his own voice. Graun's soprano cantatas were probably written in his Berlin years after Friedrich's accession to the throne in 1740, when virtuoso castrati and singers were available for the demanding solo parts. After successful albums with music by Fasch, Hertel and Molter, the ensemble Main-Barockorchester has now joined the Accent label. Hannah Morrison is regarded as one of the most promising young sopranos of the early music scene.