If we speak about the late works of Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679-1745) we usually refer to his masses, oratorios or litanies, which have today finally acquired the attention and acclaim they fully deserve. But among these works we also find secular vocal compositions such as the serenata 'Il Diamante and a collection of Italian arias.

Throughout the 1720s Zelenka composed mainly sacred music for the Catholic church but after Johann David Heinichen's death Zelenka petitioned officially for the post of Kapellmeister in 1733, writing a set of eight Italian arias as the court wished to re-establish opera in Dresden.

It has to be admitted that the surviving arias – even though masterpieces – reflect a certain negligence of the standard principles of theatrical style, which may have been difficult or, more likely, unimportant for a composer who had devoted his life to church music. However, these unorthodox arias represent a good example of Zelenka’s unique style. The Prague based Ensemble Tourbillon and Petr Wagner present the first complete recording of the eight Italian arias.

Singers are Czech soprano star Hana Blazikova (five arias) assisted by the promising mezzo-soprano Marketa Cukrova (two arias) and the Slovakian bass Tomas Selc (one aria).