Handel -Tolomeo / Hallenberg, Gauvin, Bonitatibus, Basso, Spagnoli, Il Complesso Barocco, Curtis
Archiv Produktion - Archiv Produktion
Release date: 2008-03-11
Audio CD
Classical Composers, Classical Music, Italian Baroque Opera, Movie, Opera, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio
1. Ouverture
2. Acc.: Orgoglioso elemento
3. Rec.: Numi, pietà!
4. Aria: Cielo ingiusto
5. Rec.: Ahi! Elisa infelice
6. Aria: Non lo dirò col labbro
7. Rec.: Veggio che m'ama il prence
8. Aria: Quell'onda che si frange
9. Rec.: Quest'è pur Cipro
10. Aria: Mi volgo ad ogni fronda
11. Rec.: O cari agli occhi miei
12. Aria: Se talor miri un fior
13. Rec.: Conosco ben
14. Arioso: Tiranni miei pensieri
15. Rec.: E dove, e dove mai
16. Aria: Fonti amiche
17. Rec.: Ma! quel pastor--Delia ad un pastor
18. Aria: Respira almen un poco
19. Rec.: V'è ancor qualche martire
20. Aria: Torna sol per un momento
average reviews
0 vote
0 vote
React and review
Handel -Tolomeo / Hallenberg, Gauvin, Bonitatibus, Basso, Spagnoli, Il Complesso Barocco, Curtis
Date undefinedThis disc is featured by Gramophone Magazine as "Editor's Choice" in Opera for the Month of July!
Handel -Tolomeo / Hallenberg, Gauvin, Bonitatibus, Basso, Spagnoli, Il Complesso Barocco, Curtis
Date undefinedAs other reviewers mentioned, this is wonderful music performed beautifully by Curtis and his stellar group. The big three soloists, Ann Hallenberg (Tolomeo), Karina Gauvin (Seleuce) and Anna Bonitatibus (Elisa) are perfect for their roles, and have the majority of the prettiest arias: Elisa's 'Quell 'onda;' Seleuce's 'Mi Volgo' and 'Torni omai'; Tolomeo's first act 'Tiranni' and the climactic 'Stille amare' to those gorgeous, hushed strings. And the three duets for Seleuce & Tolomeo are also worthy of individual appearances on recital discs. But I would place more praise than others have on the spare appearance of Romina Basso (Alessandro). Even though she only has three solo arias, two of them are little jewels that I encored when I first heard them, and Basso is as good in them as she was in the Vivaldi Montezuma recording of '06.
While Hallenberg has been getting the plum roles that she deserves, I hope Karina Gauvin's lovely voice will get her even more recognition. Outside of the early music scene, I'm not sure the general opera audience knows how good she is (maybe I'm wrong, but whenever I ask Seattle audiences, I end up lending them a CD or two by way of introduction).
This is an easy recommendation for Handel fans, but I think people who may not be as fond of baroque operas might want to sample the gorgeous singing of this fine cast. While every Handel opera has a couple of arias that seem to make everything stop with their simple beauty, Tolomeo has several solos like that plus the three duets. And we hear from another reviewer that three more Handel operas are scheduled. Thank you Alan Curtis !
Handel -Tolomeo / Hallenberg, Gauvin, Bonitatibus, Basso, Spagnoli, Il Complesso Barocco, Curtis
Date undefinedFollowing their very highly succesful 'Floridante' and 'Rodelinda' recordings on Archiv, Alan Curtis and Il Complesso Barocco now give us this rarity.
Tolomeo is one of the five operas written for Senesino and the rival sopranos Cuzzoni and Bordini.
They had exceptional talents and to cope with the technical demands for today's singers is not easy. But what a team we have here!
As usually (and luckily), Alan Curtis prefers a mezzo soprano to a countertenor for the part of Senesino, and Ann Hallenberg is very successful in it.
She does not have the individuality of Mijanovic, but the latter seems to be an acquired taste for many Handelians. Hallenberg is more 'middle of the road' but a very accomplished singer. She is incredibly moving in her aria 'Torna sol per un momento' which concludes the first act. Another highlight is the third act 'Stille amare', in which Tolomeo thinks he is poisoned, but of course this is not the case.
The two prima donnas are sung by Anna Bonitatibus (Elisa) and Karina Gauvin (Seleuce) and their performances are a delight from start to finish. They have each two arias in every act, and there is not a weak number to find.
Which one can I pick? Seleuces 'Fonte amichi' in the first act with the flute obligato, or her act two 'Dite, che fa, dov'è' which eventually becomes a duet (in echo) with Tolomeo? Elisa's 'Quanto è felice' in act two with the exciting high notes in the da capo ornamentation, or her vengeance aria 'Ti pentirai, crudel' in act three?
We have two new Handel sopranos in the league of Lynne Dawson, Rosemary Joshua and Joyce Di Donato!
The two other minor characters are Alessandro, sung by Romina Basso and the villian Araspe, taken by Pietro Spagnoli. Their contribution is no less than stylish, but they are somewhat overshadowed by the three stars.
Each act is on one cd, and no compressing here as in Curtis' Lotario on DHM. Translations of the notes and libretto in English, French and German as can be expected from Archiv.
If you love 'Giulio Cesare', 'Orlando' and 'Alcina', you will certainly like 'Tolomeo'. The music is first rate Handel.
According to information on the web, 'Ezio', 'Alcina' and 'Siroe' will be next to be recorded by Alan Curtis. I just can not wait to hear those, hopefully with Bonitatibus and Gauvin.
