Following its successful full length opera, ‘Artaxerxes’, Classical Opera return with the first in an epic series of Mozart operas ‘Apollo et Hyacinthus’.
Classical Opera has mounted two staged productions of Mozart's Apollo et Hyacinthus (1998 and 2006), with both receiving wide critical acclaim.
This recording has been eagerly awaited since its 2007 debut CD, ‘The A-Z of Mozart Opera’ was released, described by David Vickers in Gramophone as ‘glorious...fresh, diverse, insightful and illuminating’.
The company features a mix of seasoned and young performers including Klara Ek (Melia), Sophie Bevan (Hyacinthus), Lawrence Zazzo (Apollo), Christopher Ainslie (Zephyrus) and Andrew Kennedy (Oebalus).
Classical Opera was founded in 1997 by conductor Ian Page. It specialises in the music of Mozart and his contemporaries, performing with its own period-instrument orchestra, and is considered one of Britain's most exciting and highly regarded young arts organisations.
“It's an astonishing piece for an 11 year-old, of course, though not in the same league as Mozart's mature works. The Classical Opera Company principals do very nicely by it. Tenor Andrew Kennedy, sopranos Sophie Bevan and Klara Ek and countertenor Lawrence Zazzo are all excellent, and Ian Page's band is neat and stylish.” BBC Music Magazine, July 2012 ****
“With inspiriting conducting lissom and, where apt, punchy orchestral playing, and first-rate singing from company regulars, their performance of this thoroughly charming intermedio could hardly be bettered...the bright, extrovert Lawrence Zazzo contrasts well with the more contained, rounded tones of Christopher Ainslie...Klara Ek and Sophie Bevan bring to their arias a poise and panache” Gramophone Magazine, July 2012
“the present cast have a full understanding of the potential dramatic power of the work. There are no weak links, with all making the most of the musical and dramatic opportunities provided...[a] splendid version of an unfairly neglected work.” MusicWeb International, July 2012
“This scintillating recording of the 1767 Latin opera reveals just how early Mozart's instinct for character was formed...The cast is beautifully contrasted...Andrew Kennedy sings Oebalus with authority and elegance.” The Independent, 28th July 2012
“Even by the standards of Mozart's astonishingly precocious childhood, this is an extraordinary achievement...Ian Page, setting out on an epic Mozart series for Linn, conducts a top cast, ...with the crisp and alert Classical Opera orchestra driven along by the fine harpsichordist Steven Devine.” The Observer, 10th June 2012
