A Tribute to Faustina Bordoni

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HASSE / HANDEL
A Tribute to Faustina Bordoni
Vivica Genaux (mezzo) / Cappella Gabetta, Andrés Gabetta

[ Deutsche Harmonia Mundi / CD ]

Release Date: Monday 22 July 2013

Should this item be out of stock at the time of your order, we would expect to be able to supply it to you within 2 - 4 weeks.

Mezzo-soprano Faustina Bordoni was considered to be one of the greatest singers of the first half of the C18th, entrancing audiences in Italy and throughout Europe and commanding huge fees. All of the great Baroque composers wrote for her, including featured composers George Frideric Haendel (1685-1759) and Johann Adolph Hasse (1699-1783), to whom she was married and in whose opera productions she starred. The famous librettist Metastasio described them as a "truly an exquisite couple".

However, she was also involved in one of the biggest scandals in opera history by fighting onstage at the King's Theatre with another leading singer of the day, Francesca Cuzzoni - infront of the Princess of Wales!

"Quantz praised Faustina's immaculate articulation and excellent trills - and Genaux lives up to that vocal artistry brilliantly with the copious trills and arching melodic phrases...I cannot remember enjoying Genaux's singing more than this" Gramophone Editor's Choice July 2013

"although some can match her scintillating dispatch of brilliant coloratura I suggest that nobody surpasses it...Her lowest notes have that thrilling tonal depth that was Marilyn Horne's...a showcase for exhilarating singing, coruscating playing and highly melodious music." (International record Review)

Tracks:

Handel:
Mi lusinga il dolce affetto (from Alcina)
Parmi che giunta in porto (from Radamisto)
Ti pentirai, crudel (Tolomeo, re di Egitto)

Hasse, J A:
Qual di voi…Piange quel fonte (Numa Pompilio)
Ciro riconosciuto: Overture
Padre ingiusto (from Cajo Fabricio)
Quel nome se ascolto (from Ciro riconosciuto)
Didone abbandonata: Sinfonia
Va tra le selve Ircana (from Artaserse - 1730 version)
Zenobia: Overture
Ah! Che mancar mi sento