''Though Gluck is recognised as one of the pivotal figures in opera, his output is still under-represented on disc. This recording of L'Innocenza Giustificata (Innocence Justified) fills one of the gaps; it has only been released once before, in a live performance from Italy that is comprehensively superseded by this new studio version, played on period instruments with a specialist chorus and a line-up of soloists every one of whom seems to understand this musical world instinctively.
Composed in 1755, L'Innocenza Giustificata derives essentially from Metastasio. The librettist Durazzo brought together material from a whole clutch of the poet and dramatist's librettos to create this text. Gluck responded with music that not only acknowledges its origins in the baroque opera seria, but looks forward to the world of "reform opera" that he would help to create. It is full of energy and invention, and often strikingly beautiful.
That energy and lyric beauty is well presented in the performance, led by the sopranos Maria Bayo as Claudia, the vestal virgin accused of letting the sacred flame in the temple go out, and Veronica Cangemi in the castrato role of Flavio. They set the standard that most of the supporting cast match, and Christopher Moulds keeps the opera on the move at all times.'' The Guardian