Composer: George Frideric Handel
Performer: Vokalensemble Basel
Orchestra: La Cetra Barockorchester
Conductor: Andrea Marcon
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: PentaTone
Size: 2.09 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Parnasso in festa, per gli sponsali di Teti e Peleo HWV 73
Apollo, God of music, Orfeo’s father – David Hansen, Countertenor
Clio, Muse of history – Robin Johannsen, Soprano
Orfeo, Singer and poet – Kangmin Justin Kim, Countertenor
Calliope, Muse of epic poetry, Orfeo’s mother – Jenny Högström, Soprano
Cloride, a huntress – Silke Gäng, Mezzosoprano
Euterpe, Muse of lyric poetry and the flute – Francesca Ascioti, Alto
Marte, God of war – Luca Tittoto, Bass
CD 01
01. Ouverture
Parte Prima
02. Aria ‘’Verginelle dotte e belle“ – Clio
03. Coro “Corriamo pronti ad ubbidir“
04. Recitativo “Germane, figlio amato”
05. Solo e Coro “Deh! cantate un bell’amor” – Apollo
06. Recitativo “Ma prima che s’avanzi” – Apollo
07. Aria “Spira al sen celeste ardore’’ – Orfeo
08. Aria “Gran Tonante” – Apollo
09. Coro ‘’Già vien da lui il nostro ben’’
10. Recitativo “Spettacolo gradito” – Clio
11. Aria “Con un vezzo lusinghiero” – Clio
12. Recitativo ”Rimembranza gradita” – Apollo
13. Duetto “Sin le grazie nel bel volto” – Apollo, Clio
14. Recitativo “Ma di sì belle fiamme” – Clio
15. Aria ‘’Quanto breve è il godimento“ – Clio
16. Recitativo “Vada in oblio memoria” – Apollo
17. Coro “Cantiamo a Bacco”
18. Aria “Del nume Lieo” – Marte
19. Aria “Sciolga dunque al ballo” – Apollo
20. Coro e Soli “S’accenda pur di festa il cor’’
21. Coro “Replicati al ballo”
CD 02
Parte Seconda
01. Soli e Coro „Nel petto sento un certo ardor“
02. Recitativo “Qual tetra nube” – Apollo
03. Aria “Torni pure un bel splendore” – Apollo
04. Recitativo “Ognun mi siegua” – Clio
05. Aria “Nel spiegar sua voce al canto” – Clio
06. Recitativo “E non s’udiran mai” – Cloride
07. Coro “Oh quanto bella gloria”
08. Aria “Tra sentier di amene selve” – Cloride
09. Coro “Oh quanto bella gloria”
10. Recitativo “Che mai facesti, Orfeo?” – Calliope
11. Aria “Già le furie vedo ancor” – Calliope
12. Accompagnato “Dopo d’aver perduto” – Orfeo
13. Aria e Coro “Ho perso il caro ben” – Orfeo
14. Recitativo “Figlio, diletto Orfeo” – Apollo
15. Duetto “Cangia in gioia il tuo dolor” – Apollo, Clio
16. Recitativo “Di Nettuno seguaci” – Apollo
17. Coro “Coralli e perle”
Parte Terza
18. Sinfonia
19. Recitativo “Io che degli avi eccelsi” – Marte
20. Coro e Solo “Si parli ancor di trionfar” – Marte
21. Recitativo “Oh! stirpe gloriosa” – Orfeo
22. Aria “Da sorgente rilucente” – Orfeo
23. Recitativo “Dall’opre illustri” – Calliope
24. Aria “Sempre aspira eccelso core” – Calliope
25. Recitativo “Delle dotte germane” – Apollo
26. Aria e Coro “Non tardate, fauni, ancora” – Apollo
27. Recitativo “Sia degli eccelsi sposi” – Clio
28. Aria “Circondin lor vite le grazie fiorite” – Clio
29. Recitativo “Con un spirto divoto” – Euterpe
30. Aria “Han mente eroica” – Euterpe
31. Recitativo “Di virtù, di valor” – Apollo
32. Solo e Coro “Lunga serie d’alti eroi” – Apollo
Andrea Marcon and La Cetra Barockorchester & Vokalensemble Basel sparkle in this new release of Handel’s forgotten masterpiece Parnasso in testa, recorded shortly before their hugely successful Netherlands premiere of the opera in November 2016.
Handel’s sumptuous work from 1734 celebrates the marriage of Princess Anne and Prince William of Orange. It’s packed with breathtaking arias, duets and choruses, all written with verve, drama and Handel’s sense of occasion. The renowned Baroque specialist Andrea Marcon gives it the attention it deserves with an outstanding vocal cast around his period-instrument group La Cetra. Opera News described Robin Johansen’s performance in the Netherlands premiere as “[a] revelation … superbly agile and fresh-sounding—but also expressive. The demanding role of Apollo is undertaken by rising star David Hansen, described by The New Yorker as “…a pure-voiced young Australian who is typical of a new breed of matinee-idol countertenors”. And a performance at the Handel Festival in 2014 drew rave reviews “Altogether, with the virtuosic playing of the inspired Cetra orchestra under Maestro Marcon, so finely balanced with the stunning chorus and soloists, this concert performance of an infrequently performed serenata became … one of the high points of the festival.”