Although Antonio Cesti (1623-1669) belonged to the Franciscan Order, he began to turn to opera from around 1642. His successes as a singer and composer for the stages of Florence, Innsbruck and Vienna, however, earned him a summons to Rome in 1659, which was apparently to have largely no consequences for his musical career. In addition to his popular operas, he also wrote numerous charming chamber cantatas on texts by Giovanni Filippo Apolloni, a friend and compatriot of the composer, which are presented here by the ensemble Il Zabaione Musicale.