In July 1791 Mozart was composing Magic Flute when the impresario Guardasoni commissioned him to write a new opera seria for the coronation of Emperor Leopold II as King of Bohemia - in two months. If Mozart was hoping the story of a beneficent monarch would please Leopold it would seem that scheme failed when the Empress described the opera as ‘German swinery’! La Clemenza di Tito has never enjoyed the popularity of Mozart’s more structurally modern works like Figaro and Don Giovanni, but these days is emerging from their shadow with its succession of arias as beautiful as anything Mozart ever wrote. Magdalena Kožená leads a fine cast, singing the pivotal role of Sesto with tremendous beauty and restrained emotion. Sir Charles Mackerras is the stylish conductor at the helm.