Peter has a lot going on and invites you to stay updated on his latest news. This 'latest news page' provides a selection of highlights and updates pertaining to his latest collaborations, developments and latest projects.
Latest News
Book owned by Queen Mary I with rare maps rediscovered
In 2024 Peter discovered a copy of the third edition of Polydore Vergil's Anglica Historia (1555) bound with beautiful hand-drawn maps of England & Wales, Ireland, Scotland and France in a private library. Demonstrating a provenance with a direct link to the library of Queen Mary I (reigned 1553-1558) and bound with Mary's coat-of-arms, it is undoubtedly one of the most historically significant book discoveries in recent years.
The Polydore Vergil bound for Queen Mary I
Italian Baroque Cantatas and Arias heard for the first time in 300 years
REDISCOVERED CANTATA AND ARIA MANUSCRIPTS FROM EIGHTEENTH-CENTURY ITALY
Antonio Vivaldi, Francesco Mancini, Pietro Pizzolo, Giovanni Bononcini, Annibale Pio Fabri
CAPPELLA FEDE
Musical Director: Peter Leech
Cardiff University School of Music, 10 March 2026
In 2024 Peter Leech discovered six manuscript volumes of early eighteenth-century cantatas and arias derived from southern Italian lands. Containing approximately 100 items, the collection contains hitherto completely unknown music by leading Italian composers of the baroque period such as the Neapolitan Francesco Mancini, the Sicilian Pietro Pizzolo and the Bolognese Annibale Pio Fabri, a tenor virtuoso famous throughout Europe who sang for Handel in London. Highlights amongst the many superb works include an aria by Antonio Vivaldi set to an unknown text as well as an unknown Vivaldi instrumental work. On Tuesday 10 March at 19:00, in the Cardiff University School of Music Concert Hall, Cappella Fede and Peter Leech undertook the first modern performances of select cantatas and arias from this important collection.
Cappella Fede - Events - Cardiff University
New CD Release
Giovanni Battista Casali
First recordings of sacred music from eighteenth-century Rome composed by Giovanni Battista Casali (1715-1792), maestro di cappella at the churches of San Giovanni in Laterano and the Chiesa Nuova (Santa Maria in Vallicella), and peripatetic composer and keyboard player for numerous other Roman foundations during this period. A leading teacher, composer and organist, Casali wrote sacred works in a variety of styles ranging from small-scale motets remodelling the stile antico tradition through to concertato items in galante style accompanied by organ and other instruments, as well as large-scale polychoral works. His pupils included Andre Gretry and Pietro Terziani, and his deputy for many years at Sant'Antonio dei Portoghesi was Sebastiano Bolis (whose music features on Cappella Fede's CD The Cardinal King).
Released on Toccata Classics in November 2023, the Casali CD has received high praise from Ralph Graves (WJTU University of Virginia) and CD Hotlist. The recording, together with its comprehensive sleeve notes, can be obtained at
