At San Petronio, the main church of Bologna, Francesco Manfredini was a violinist and member of the Accademia Filarmonia which provided Bologna's churches with music. In his early twenties, Manfredini tried to earn his first credentials as a composer during this period, having two collections of works printed which he designated Opuses 1 and 2.

He later worked at the court of Monaco, during which time he also published his Opus 3. After this, during his period as Kapellmeister at the cathedral of his native city of Pistoia, Manfredini probably composed many more works. Due to a dispute with the cathedral chapter, however, these works were no longer allowed to be stored in the cathedral's collections after his retirement, and were thus lost. Today we are glad, therefore, that at least a few works by this apparently very gifted composer have been handed down to us.

The Capricornus Consort of Basle directed by Peter Barczi, awarded the German Music Critics' Prize for its last CD - Graupner Cantatas), now proudly presents the complete cycle of the twelve Sinfonie da chiesa opus 2 by Manfredini as a world premiere recording. It is a varied selection of colourful pieces recorded with the sensitivity and precision to which we have become accustomed with the Capricornus Consort.