In collaboration with MVSICA PERDVTA, an Italian cultural association engaged in research in libraries and archives into unpublished or little-known music, a project has been established to record the violoncello sonatas of the eighteenth-century Sicilian prelate, harpsichordist, cellist and composer Monsignor Antonino Reggio (1725–c1800). Through papers presented at musicological conferences, published articles in scholarly journals, inclusion of the music in recital programmes and a recently published volume on his unique collection of arias for four voices (Anthony Hart, Concertini per Quattro Voci (Valletta: Edizione Antonino Reggio, 2011)) Reggio's works have slowly been brought to the attention of the modern musical world. Reggio's works are representative of that large number of manuscripts by little-known or unknown composers contained in libraries throughout the world, whose music was written for their own personal enjoyment or that of their small social circles. Reggio's works are of a high musical standard and deserve to be better known by the musically informed public. It is hoped that the project of recording some of his works (Project Edizione Antonino Reggio) will further this aim.

Antonino Reggio was born in Aci Catena in the region of Catania in 1725. He was a member of a cadet branch of the Sicilian noble family ‘Principi di Campofiorito’. From 1753 to 1763 he was courier to the Apostolic Nuncio to Portugal during the turbulent times of the Suppression of the Jesuits. He settled in Rome as a Monsignor. His works consist of sacred music (masses, oratorios and sacred arias), secular aria settings, sonatas for solo harpsichord, sonatas for two cellos and sonatas for lute and basso continuo.

The project focuses upon a manuscript containing twelve sonatas for two cellos discovered in the Santini Collection of the Diözesanbibliothek, Münster (SANT Hs 3392). It is hoped that though public donations this exciting project can become a success. Please visit the project page on the website for Monsignor Reggio for further details and the special offers for sponsors.

Details of the project can be found at <www.monsignor-reggio.com/EAR-2.html>.

The website of MVSICA PERDVTA can be found at <www.musicaperduta.com>.

The website for and details about Antonino Reggio can be found at <www.monsignor-reggio.com>.