1. Amor, dover, rispetto Adriano in Sirial
  2. Eccomi
  3. Pallido il sole Artaserse
  4. Ma fille ... Jupiter, lance ta foudre! Iphigénie en Aulide
  5. Vedrò con mio diletto Giustino
  6. Solca il mar e nel periglio Tigrane
  7. Fra quest ombre Solimano1
  8. Spera che questo cor Astianatte
  9. Le belle immagini d un dolce amore Paride ed Elena1
  10. Ti calpesto, o crudo amore Astianatte
  11. Al torrente che ruina Siroe re di Persia
  12. Ti parli nel seno speranza ed amore Siface
  13. Daranno all ira mia Euristeo

Mary-Ellen Nesi, Romina Basso, Sonia Prina, Vivica Genaux 
Armonia Atenea
George Petrou - conductor

The history of opera is inseparably linked with the biographies of singers; audiences have always been fascinated by both musical prowess and behind the scenes goings-on.

The battle for prestige and fame was heated and passionate in the Baroque era, with legendary rivalries. Fiercely competitive, Cuzzoni and Bordoni were among the most acclaimed divas of the age, resorting to fisticuffs on stage.

Present-day prima donnas Genaux, Prina, Nesi and Basso now follow in the footsteps of their fervid predecessors, presenting on disc a tongue-in-cheek survey of standout arias for mezzo soprano and contralto.

Three star mezzos and a magnificent top contralto are accompanied by the superb Greek orchestra Armonia Atenea under conductor George Petrou, winner of Germany s prestigious ECHO Klassik Prize.

A stunning recital, bringing to life the rich heritage of Baroque opera the acme of musical enjoyment with the entertaining element of cultic stardom. ---Editorial Reviews, amazon.com

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Dall'amor più sventurato from "Orfeo" - Nicola Antonio Porpora
Ombra fedele anch'io from "Idaspe" - Riccardo Broschi
Qual guerriero in campo armato from "Idaspe" - Riccardo Broschi
Mancare Dio mi sento from "Adriano in Siria" - Geminiano Giacomelli
Concerto a 4 in C minor - Baldassare Galuppi                       play
Oh volesser gli Dei...Dolci freschi aurette from "Polifemo" - Nicola Antonio Porpora
Or la nube procellosa - Nicola Antonio Porpora                     play
Per questo dolce amplesso from "Artaserse" - Johann Adolf Hasse
Quell'usignolo from "Merope" - Geminiano Giacomelli

Vivica Genaux, mezzo-soprano

Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin
René Jacobs - director

"Farinelli" was the stage name for the greatest castrato--and arguably the greatest singer--of his era, the 1720s and '30s (he inspired the film of the same name ). His range was enormous--three octaves, by some reports--with a deep, resonant chest voice that was perfectly wedded to strong, sweet high notes. His breath control seemed superhuman, his ability to execute florid runs at high speeds astounded the audience, and he could leap from one octave to another as naturally and easily as most people could speak.

On this CD, the fine countertenor-conductor-musicologist Rene Jacobs leads a historically correct band in eight (almost forgotten) virtuoso arias Farinelli was famous for, and the Alaskan mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux sings them stupendously. Her voice is warm and rich, and her ability to keep rhythmically and tonally accurate while carrying out almost impossible, dozens-of-notes-per-minute roulades will take your breath away. She's just as impressive in the gentler, long-breathed arias. If you've ever admired Marilyn Horne, Cecilia Bartoli, Joan Sutherland, and other bel canto superstars, this disc is perfect for you. Thrilling! --Robert Levine

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George Frideric Handel: Orlando HWV31
1.Aria: "Fammi combattere mosti e tifei"
2.Aria: "Ah! Stigie larvae"

George Frideric Handel: Alcina HWV 34: Aria: "Sta nell'Ircana pietrosa tana"
3.Alcina HWV 34: Aria: "Sta nell'Ircana pietrosa tana"

George Frideric Handel: Splenda l'alba in oriente, cantata HWV 166
4.Aria: Splenda l'alba in oriente
5.Recitativo: Tu, armonica Cecilia
6.Aria:La virtute è un vero nume

Johann Adolf Hasse: Arminio
7.Aria: "Ti laschio in ceppi avvinto"
8.Aria: "Se mia speranza"
9.Aria: "Vaghi rai, pupille amate"

George Frideric Handel: La Scusa
10.Recitativo: No, perdonami, o Clori
11.Aria: Trova un sol
12.Recitativo: Placati o pastorella
13.Aria: Torna in quel onda chiara

Vivica Genaux (mezzo-soprano)
Les Violons du Roy
Bernard Labadie (conductor)

The rich-voiced Alaskan mezzo Vivica Genaux's new CD is as dazzling as her Arias for Farinelli disc that appeared a while ago. Here she sings music of Hasse and Handel, two German composers who wrote in what, for the sake of creating an umbrella, can be called perfect pre-Italian bel canto style. Genaux sings two selections from Handel's Orlando---one wild with coloratura and the other the eponymous hero's moody, difficult mad scene---one from Alcina, and a cantata dating from 1711 that features fine writing for recorders. The lesser-known Hasse is represented by three arias from his opera Arminio and a cantata. Genaux leaps every hurdle the composers put in her way---seemingly endless runs, two-octave leaps, trills. Indeed, one is reminded more than once of Marilyn Horne, although Genaux's voice is prettier and not as grand. She can spin a long, quiet line with grace and breath to spare as well. Genaux's sound, like that of all great singers, is unique--in her case, her tone has a milky smoothness that sets her apart. This CD is for all admirers of truly great singing, and the rarities in the program give it extra value. Bernard Labadie leads the French-Canadian group Les Violons du Roy in performances that are rhythmically razor-sharp and thoroughly alive. --Robert Levine, amazon.com

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