While engaged at the court of St. Petersburg, Giovanni Paisiello was asked, in 1781, to compose an opera buffa for the wedding celebration of Grand Duke Alexander. Paisiello struggled to find a suitable libretto, and ultimately turned to La Serva Padrona, written fifty years earlier by the Neapolitan poet G.A. Federico—a work set to music most notably by Pergolesi.

The Pergolesi piece still enjoys popularity, while Paisiello’s setting remains something of an obscurity. This fine recording, with mezzo Cinzia Forte and bass Antonio Abete singing the roles of the wily servant Serpina and befuddled master Urberto, might do something to make Paisiello’s work more popular. There is elegance and lyricism aplenty in Paisiello’s writing, and while his setting doesn’t possess the snap of Pergolesi’s, there is much to enjoy here.

Uberto has two marvelously energetic numbers, “Sempre in contrasti” and “Sono imbrogliato giá,” that are sung with agility and delicious comedic style by Abete. Serpina has a gem that opens the second act, “Donne vaghe i studi nostri,” a sly meditation on women’s powers that is nicely sung by Forte and features some lovely wind writing. The duets are also excellent, especially the charming closer, “Contento tu sarai?” Both singers shine in the recitatives, bringing a good sense of theater to the proceedings. The instrumental support by La Cetra, a Swiss ensemble, is right on the mark and rounds out a special performance of a delightful work. CRAIG ZEICHNER