Born in Rome in 1605 to a Burgundian father, Orazio Benevolo studied at the choir school of San Luigi dei Francesi, becoming one of the great composers of polyphonic music of his time and ending his career as maestro di cappella at the Vatican. His Missa si Deus pro nobis is scored for eight four-part choirs alongside 15 continuo players and, with this debut recording, takes its place beside the major Baroque works for massed voices. Its majesty is profoundly impressive and Hervé Niquet inspires his splendid ensemble Le Concert Spirituel to give a magnificent and awe-inspiring performance.