Fritz Wunderlich, Joan Sutherland, Ferdinand Leitner: Handel – Alcina (FLAC)

Composer: Georg Friedrich Händel
Performer: Bernhard Zimmermann, Norma Procter, Nicola Monti, Jeannette van Dijck, Dame Joan Sutherland, Thomas Hemsley, Fritz Wunderlich, Kölner Rundfunkchor
Orchestra: Cappella Coloniensis
Conductor: Ferdinand Leitner
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Catalogue: 4778017
Release: 2009
Size: 731 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover

Alcina, HWV 34 (Live At Großer Sendesaal, WDR-Funkhaus, Köln / 1959)
CD 01
Overture
01. Grave –
02. Allegro
03. Musette
04. Menuet

Act 1
05. Oh Dei! Quivi non scorgo
06. O s’apre al riso
07. Questo è il cielo de’ contenti
08. Ballo Gavotte
09. Ballo Menuett
10. Ballo Alla breve
11. Ecco l’infido
12. Di’ cor mio, quanto t’amai
13. Mi ravvisi, Ruggier
14. Di te mi rido, semplice stolto
15. Qua dunque
16. È gelosia, forza è d’amore
17. La cerco invano
18. Semplicetto! a donna credi?
19. Ah, infedele, infedel!
20. Se nemico mi fossi
21. La bocca vaga
22. A quai strani perigli
23. Tornami a vagheggiar

Act 2
24. Col celarvi a chi v’ama un momento
25. Qual portento mi richiama
26. Atlante, dove sei?
27. Pensa a chi geme
28. Qual odio
29. Vorrei vendicarmi del perfido cor
30. Chi scuopre al mio pensiero
31. Mi lusinga il dolce affetto

CD 02
Act 2
01. S’acqieti / E la tua pace
02. Ama, sospira, ma non t’offende
03. Non scorgo
04. Mio bel tesoro
05. Regina, sei
06. Ah! mio cor! schemito sei!
07. Or, che dici
08. E’ un folle, è un vil affetto
09. Eccomi
10. Verdi prati
11. Ah! Ruggiero crudel, tu non mi amasti!
12. Ombre pallide, lo so, mi udite

Act 3
13. Sinfonia
14. Voglio amare
15. Credete al mio dolore
16. Minganna
17. Un momento di contento
18. Molestissimo
19. Ma quando tornerai
20. Tutta d’armat
21. Sta nell’Ircana pietrosa tana
22. Niuna forza
23. Mi restano le lagrime
24. Sin per le vie
25. Le lusinghe
26. Non è amor, né gelosia
27. Prendi, e vivi.Ruggiero vuol la tua libertà
28. Dall’orror
29. Entrée
30. Tamburino
31. Dopo tante amare pene

In 1959, West German Radio in Cologne (WDR) recorded a live performance of Alcina with two of the most exciting young singers of the day, both called in as replacements at the last minute. This was the only time that Joan Sutherland and Fritz Wunderlich sang together. The resulting recording – exceptional in its vocal virtuosity and style of performance – is now being released officially for the first time: an exceptional première for Handel Year 2009.


This is an “authentic” performance, with the Cappella Coloniensis (founded by August Wenzinger) conducted by the 45-year-old Ferdinand Leitner playing original instruments.


Other members of the distinguished cast include Norma Procter (Bradamante) and Thomas Hemsley (Melisso) , with Dutch diva Jeannette van Dijck in the role of Morgana and Italian tenor Nicola Monti as Oronte


Alcina, one of Handel’s greatest “magic” operas based on Ariosto, is performed here in a reduced version that conveniently fits onto two CDs. Thanks especially to the artistry of Sutherland and Wunderlich, the full power of the opera comes through.


“A distinguished performance with distinguished interpreters, truly worthy of Handel” Kölner Rheinzeitung (1959)