In 1656 the new Elector Johann Georg II reorganised musical life, and he attached great importance to the fact that Italians were now active in the decisive positions.

Probably the most important of them was Giuseppe Peranda, who was appointed Kapellmeister by the Elector. Together with his colleague Vincenzo Albrici, he also established the new tone in sacred music, characterised by a stronger emphasis on the melodic and above all by a rhythmic liveliness previously unknown in sacred music.

The Basler Abendmusiken make audible what caused so much sensation in Dresden at the time.