Performer: Joyce DiDonato
Orchestra: Il Complesso Barocco
Conductor: Alan Curtis
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Erato
Catalogue: 6026542
Release: 2012
Size: 1.33 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Orlandini: Berenice
01. “Da torbida procella” (Berenice)
Porta: Ifigenia in aulide
02. “Madre diletta, abbracciami” (Ifigenia)
Handel: Alcina
03. “Ma quando tornerai” (Alcina)
Keiser: Fredegunda
04. “Lasciami piangere” (Galsuinde)
Hasse: Marc’ Antonio e Cleopatra
05. “Morte, col fiero aspetto” (Cleopatra)
Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto
06. “E pur cosi in un giorno… Piangerò la sorte mia” (Cleopatra)
Cesti: Orontea
07. “Intorno all’idol mio” (Orontea)
Handel: Alessandro, HWV21
08. “Brilla nell’alma” (Rossane)
Keiser: Octavia
09. “Geloso sospetto” (Octavia)
Monteverdi: L’incoronazione di Poppea
10. “Disprezzata regina” (Octavia)
Giacomelli: Merope
11. “Sposa, son disprezzata” (Irene)
Orlandini: Berenice
12. “Col versar, barbaro, il sangue” (Berenice)
Haydn: Armida
13. “Vedi, se t’amo… Odio, furor, dispetto” (Armida)
Following the success of her 2011 album, Diva Divo, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato presents an exciting collection of virtuosic arias in her 2012 release on Virgin, Drama Queens. Drawing on royal roles in Baroque operas by Handel, Monteverdi, and Haydn, as well as selections from such minor composers as Orlandini, Porta, Keiser, Hasse, Cesti, and Giacomelli, DiDonato demonstrates both her impressive vocal abilities and a wide range of characterizations. Supported by the period ensemble Il Complesso Barocco, conducted by Alan Curtis, DiDonato sings with dynamic power and exquisite embellishments, executing runs and ornaments with sparkling brilliance and projecting her voice with ease. But even more important than her technical prowess is her charismatic presentation of these 17th and 18th century opera heroines, whose passionate emotions and exaggerated behavior are wonderfully realized in DiDonato’s dramatic interpretations. Since Baroque opera has become something of a specialized interest of early music connoisseurs, DiDonato’s album is a welcome introduction for listeners less familiar with this period, and her faithful performances make the era come to life with appealing freshness and vitality. Highly recommended.