In 1732 Giovanni Battista Pergolesi  composed a setting of the Vespers in honor of St.  Emidius , Naples ’s patron saint and protector against earthquakes. All that has survived are the introit Domine ad adjuvandum  and  three psalm settings: Dixit Dominus,  Laudate  and  Confitebor .<br>
<br>
Malcolm Bruno’s reconstruction consists of Pergolesi’s Hymnus , Magnificat , several short instrumental interpolations, and the contrafactum of a secular cantata for the Salve Regina, thereby presenting a full cross-section of Pergolesi’s artistic evolution. The  reconstructed  Vespers ranges from the early  Confitebor , with its  allusions to Vivaldi, to the late Salve  Regina  with its reminiscences of the famous  Stabat  Mater;  from contrapuntal choral writing to  operatic arias; and from the magnificently scored Dixit to the almost intimate  Laudate .<br>
<br>
The present edition follows the original sources as closely as possible and contains an appendix with detailed notes on performance practice.<br>