Throughout the course of the 19th century the mandolin enjoyed some success as a solo instrument and was the dedicatee of many works, including concertos, sonatas, solo pieces and duets. In Italy this instrument was very popular not only in Naples but also in the north of the country, where practically every city had its own type of mandolin. Similarly, also farther north in Europe - in particular in Paris and Vienna - the mandolin had a short season of success, documented by some good quality literature (among the authors who wrote works for this instruments were even figures such as Hummel and Beethoven). Besides three Sonatas for Neapolitan mandolin and harpsichord by Domenico Scarlatti, the present CD features works by Gervasio (who wrote the first method for Neapolitan mandolin), Venier, Capponi and Valentini, authors who are all rather unfamiliar but were masters of the mandolin's technique and of its expressive potentialities. After the success of her first CD with Dynamic, dedicated to the Neapolitan mandolin (CDS 193), Dorina Frati, here accompanied by the harpsichordist Daniele Roi, confirms to be a great virtuoso of her instrument.