Giancarlo Andretta; Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century; La Cetra Vokalensemble Basel; Vasilisa Ber
Description
Thanks to the overwhelming success of his tenth opera L'italiana in Algeri (1813), the 21-year-old Gioachino Rossini definitively conquered the world stage as the greatest comic opera composer of his time.
With this opera, which 'in the eyes of Stendhal' 'makes you forget all the miseries of the world', Rossini created a blueprint for his greatest successes. The style showcased in L'iitaliana is a consummation of eighteenth-century traditions as well as an
inspiration for later, Romantic developments, and the humorous events in the story entertain us until this very day.
With this live recording made at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam in February 2022, the Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century once again shows its capacity for renewal while respecting its venerable past, which will always be linked to the late Frans Brüggen.
With a splendid cast of soloists including Vasilisa Berzhanskaya, Ricardo Seguel, Alasdair Kent and Pablo Ruiz, the fine collaboration with La Cetra Vokalensemble Basel and the exquisite conducting of maestro Giancarlo Andretta, this sparkling project will for sure make it onto the shelves of many music lovers.
Critical Acclaim:
"there is real freshness about the singing. This is especially valuable in the minor roles, where Lilian Farahani (Elvira) is as fresh as dew, and Esther Kuiper's mezzo is a well-contrasted Zulma. […] On top of all this, Russian mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya is a superb Isabella. […] Even today, she should qualify as a member of the royal line of great mezzo-sopranos during the 21st century." – MusicWeb International
"It's possible that in future times this set will be something of a collector's item thanks to the Isabella of it's 29-year-old Russian mezzo, Vasilisa Berzhanskaya. […] possibly the finest of all Isabellas on record […] in her own particular marriage of finely honed bel canto technique and a keen sense of theatre." – Gramophone
Tracklisting
Constantinople, Kiya Tabassian, Benedicte Maurseth, Patrick Graham
Filippo Mineccia, Vivica Genaux, Roberta Mameli, Il Groviglio, Marco Angioloni
Soloists, Netherlands Chamber Choir, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Bruggen
Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Bruggen
Eric Hoeprich, Teunis van der Zwart, Orchestra of the 18th Century, Frans Bruggen
Jonatan Alvarado; Ariel Abramovich
Graindelavoix; Bjorn Schmelzer
Paolo Pandolfo
