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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Vivaldi: La Senna Festeggiante
Yetzabel Arias Fernández (soprano), Martín Oro (alto), Sergio Foresti (bass) & Fabio Bonizzoni (harpsichord & direction) La Risonanza Continuing his captivating survey of the Baroque serenata, Fabio Bonizzoni now focuses on one of the “occasional” works – with music at a magnificently-high level throughout – written by Antonio Vivaldi when in Venice: 'La Senna festeggiante'. What animated Vivaldi to compose a work apparently extolling the virtues of the River Seine in Paris? The story goes, as described by Michael Talbot in his exemplary accompanying essay, that the serenata was written in 1726 jointly to honour the French king, Louis XV (on his name day), Cardinal Pietro Ottoboni (then the Protector of the Affairs of France at the Vatican) and the French Ambassador in Venice, the Comte de Gergy; and bringing in the river to heap Baroque praise on the Sun King’s great-grandson. An unmistakeably Vivaldian score (complete with self-borrowings and “loans” from others), the composer nonetheless makes plentiful musical allusions to his Gallic theme and setting through the music of the three named vocalists – The Golden Age, Virtue and the Seine – and through the instrumental accompaniment, handled deftly and gloriously here by Bonizzoni and La Risonanza. The singers, Yetzabel Arias Fernández, Martín Oro and Sergio Foresti, capture the spirit of the allegorical and fluvial characters superbly in this new Glossa recording, which was made at the Abbaye de Saint-Michel en Thiérache (also the setting for La Risonanza’s earlier recording of Alessandro Scarlatti’s Serenate a Filli). “Lovers of chamber and dramatic cantatas by Handel might already known just how effective La Risonanza's performances can be. Under Fabio Bonizzoni's stylish direction, the ensemble once more beguiles our senses with Vivaldi's hugely appealing serenata.” BBC Music Magazine, January 2013 ***** “there is some truly splendid singing here, most notably from Ann Hallenberg’s commandingly imperious Merope and Viviva Genaux as her son Epitide” Early Music Review, December 2012 “the music is very good, much of it showing Vivaldi's vocal writing at its most relaxed and delightful...Virtuosity is kept largely under control and the roles as differentiated as they could ever be; Senna, a free-flowing bass, is an especially happy creation...Bonizzoni's route through the score is...sure and sympathetic, and the orchestra performs prettily throughout.” Gramophone Magazine, December 2012 “Fernandez is a perfect choice here ideally partnered by countertenor Martin Oro – clean, supple and never prone to operatic outbursts. I find Bonizzoni’s quest for greater simplicity and directness more convincing than King’s greater opulence wonderful way to sample Vivaldi’s light operatic style on a small stage.” International Record Review, November 2012 “There's an unmistakable courtly grace and light humour about the opening "Sinfonia", ably dispatched by La Risonanza's prancing strings and harpsichord, but while Vivaldi's skill shows in his incorporation of various French elements, the libretto leaves much to be desired.” The Independent, 22nd February 2013 | | | (also available to download from $10.50) | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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La Senna Festeggiante - complete for the first time. Gloria e Imeneo - first recording. “Many beguiling moments, with sensitive responses from Carolyn Sampson.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2006 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Vivaldi - Opera Overtures
This CD contains a unique program of the complete overtures of all Vivaldi’s operas. As an opera composer, Vivaldi has long been neglected, but these works showcase his great dramatic genius. Performances on period instruments by Modo Antiquo, conducted by Federico Maria Sardelli, one of the foremost specialists in this field, who is also recording for full price labels such as Naïve and Deutsche Grammophon. Recording 2002. | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
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