Il Re Pastore reveals Mozart lavishing some of his most masterful vocal composing on a minor occasion to a fixed (and somewhat out-of-date) libretto by Metastio. This is the sort of music that Marriner and the Academy shine in. While the soloists, with the possible exceptions of Hadley and Vermillion, do not really fit their singing to the content of their roles, they all produce marvellous music that it is a joy to return to again and again. Sylvia McNair's performance is particularly satisfying. Good recording and booklet.