In the heart of Baroque Rome, the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore is the principal Marian sanctuary of the Eternal City. For centuries it has guarded not only the relics of Jesus’s cradle and swaddling-clothes, but also the celebrated marble Nativity Scene by Arnolfo di Cambio (1291), the first of its kind in the history of art, thus earning it the title of “Bethlehem of the West.” Here, in 1707, Alessandro Scarlatti was employed as maestro di cappella. Though a brief appointment – it lasted little more than a year – it was long enough to leave a deep impression, above all on the repertoire for Christmas. Alessandro Scarlatti died on October 22, 17255 at age 65. For the 300th anniversary of the composer’s death, Giulio Prandi and the Coro e Orchestra Ghislieri dedicate their new album to Scarlatti’s concerted choral works for a Roman Christmas including the Messa per il Santissimo Natale, the Messa per la Notte di Natale, the Cantata pastorale, and two motets: “Beata Mater” and “O magnum myeterium.”