Marietta Marcolini was an Italian contralto born in Florence in 1780. Rossini’s career would not have taken flight in so meteoric a fashion without a series of providential encounters, and that with Marietta Marcolini was to leave an indelible stamp on his entire output. By creating roles to measure for her, as in 'La pietra del paragone' and 'L’Italiana in Algeri', and exploiting this interpreter’s uncommon resources more fully than had other composers before him, Rossini ushered in the fashion for a new type of comedy, the brilliant, virtuoso comedy of which he was to remain the master until 'Le Comte Ory' (1828).
Unlike the numerous recorded recitals devoted exclusively to Rossini, this one presents the young Rossini in the context of the Italian musical theatre of the second decade of the 19th century. Included are extremely well-known arias like the spectacular rondo from 'L’Italiana' and that of 'L’equivoco stravagante', the original version of Clarice’s rondo in 'La pietra del paragone'. It also reveals also the richness and variety of the pre-Rossinian composers are forgotten today. The Swedish mezzo-soprano Ann Hallenberg has become established as one of Europe’s leading mezzosopranos. Her operatic repertoire includes a large number of roles by Rossini, Mozart, Gluck, Massenet, Handel, Vivaldi and Monteverdi. Equally at home on the concert platform, she frequently appears in concert halls and festivals throughout Europe and North America.
With this recording, NAIVE launches a new series of CDs called NAIVE DISCOVERIES, which will assemble our enthusiasm for rare repertoires, atypical projects, releases distinct from signings of exclusive artists or production contracts spread over several years.
Includes 4 arias in world premiere recordings.
“Having won plaudits in Handel and Vivaldi, Ann Hallenberg proves no less persuasive in bel canto. Just occasionally she sounds stretched in the stratosphere. But her even, gleaming tone, eloquence of phrase and fluent, never mechanical coloratura give virtually unalloyed pleasure.” Gramophone Magazine, January 2013
“Her voice is flowing and controlled, rippling fluently and fearlessly through the fioriture with the best … very good sound.” International Record Review, March 2013
“Hallenberg is up to all the acrobatics Marcolini seems to have revelled in, her warm mezzo managing the writing's difficulties with assurance and articulating text and notes with flair...The accompaniments are well-managed under Fabio Biondi.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2013 ****
