Giacomo Carissimi, the first great master of the oratorio and author of numerous concertante motets and Italian bel canto solo cantatas, also composed several masses. The Missa concertata in C for 2 tenors (or sopranos) and bass, 2 violins and basso continuo was printed in Cologne in 1666, a fact which is regarded as of proof of the fame of this Roman master among his contemporaries throughout Europe. The work is written in concertante style, accompanied by basso continuo, as opposed to the a cappella style of writing, and today it is one of the few surviving works of this type. It can be performed entirely by soloists, or by soloists alternating with a choir.
