Search - Antonio Vivaldi, Alessandro de Marchi, Academia Montis Regalis :: Vivaldi: Orlando finto pazzo (Vivaldi Edition)

	Antonio Vivaldi, Alessandro de Marchi, Academia Montis Regalis Vivaldi: Orlando finto pazzo (Vivaldi Edition) Genre: Classical Orlando Feigns Madness (as the title translates) was Vivaldi's second opera (that we know of) and was composed the same year as his magnificent group of 12 violin concerti called La Stravaganza. This is important to note b... more » « less
? Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Antonio Vivaldi, Alessandro de Marchi, Academia Montis Regalis, Antonio Abete, Gemma Bertagnolli, Marina Comparato, Sonia Prina, Manuela Custer, Martin Oro, Marianna Pizzolato
Title: Vivaldi: Orlando finto pazzo (Vivaldi Edition)
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Naive
Release Date: 8/17/2004
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Baroque (c.1600-1750)
Number of Discs: 3
SwapaCD Credits: 3
UPC: 709861303922

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Orlando Feigns Madness (as the title translates) was Vivaldi's second opera (that we know of) and was composed the same year as his magnificent group of 12 violin concerti called La Stravaganza. This is important to note because not only does Orlando finto pazzo contain literally dozens of fine showpieces for a variety of voices--soprano, a pair of mezzos, a contralto, a countertenor, and a bass--it also exhibits some of Vivaldi's finest string writing. Argillano's first aria, sung with amazing speed and subtlety by mezzo Manuela Custer, ends with a one-minute-and-20-second violin cadenza--or fantasia--which is so remarkable in and of itself that the audience at the time must have been left, as we are, breathless. The next aria, for Grifone (countertenor Martin Oro), is accompanied only by mellow pizzicato strings which seem almost like subconscious movements as the singer quickly and deftly describes a bee flitting from flower to flower, making honey. And throughout the opera we find exciting, innovative string accompaniment to ever more and more elaborate arias. The opera's plot is a confusing affair--the annotators have seen fit to include a diagram explaining it in the booklet--but it contains some thrilling Vivaldian arias, invariably gloriously sung. And with the extra bonus of grand virtuoso string playing, this should please devotees of the composer's violin music as well. --Robert Levine

CD Reviews

Vivaldi Opera: A Rare Jewel

Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 10/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I listened to parts of this recording and was stunned. The variety of showpieces for counter-tenor (or castrati in Vivaldi's time) soprano, alto and mezzo soprano are exquisite and sensational, truly virtuosic pieces only a special few can master. This is something perhaps not even Cecilia Bartoli can take on. Vivaldi's opera music is fiendishly difficult. The music ranges from stormy, jumping coloratura fireworks to achingly slow long arias sung in pianissimi. The music is wonderful and at this time Vivaldi was composing his superb La Stravanza. This was one of his most productive times in his career. However, this is his second opera which means it's considerably better than his first. The singers are masterful, the cover art could be on Vogue magazine (all the Vivaldi opera and vocal pieces on these record labels look that way, containing women who look like super models). This is a must have for fans of Vivaldi and rare Baroque opera. Handel's operas are far more recognized than Vivaldi's but it is an opera like Orlando Finto Pazza (Orlando Feigns Madness) that make Vivaldi easily a tough rival to Handel. The plot is nothing to get thrilled about. Like the title says the title character must feign madness in the style of Hamlet in order to achieve his goals. It is very Shakespearean. Treat yourself to this beautiful jewel and get this recording and other Vivaldi operas to add to your collection."

Intoxicating music

David Hutchins | charlotte, nc USA | 08/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vivaldi's operas have been a revelation to me, not for their dramatic content if any but due to the wonderfully inventive music. I started with Andromeda Liberata which I heard on internet radio, a mysterious apparent pastiche with at least one aria from Vivaldi, full of very exciting and beautiful music. Orlando Finto Pazzo is also excellent, disk 1 is so good I haven't gotten beyond disk 2 yet. Even without any discernible meaningful drama (I start to doze reading the plot), Vivaldi's music is superb and I'm looking forward to any new releases."

Great cast, superb opera

Bruce Bogin | rural France | 06/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is the great fortune of those who love Baroque opera that so much care has gone into the selection of singers and conductor of Vivaldi operas. One of the real treats is Orlando Finto Pazzo. Led by Alessandro de Marchi it includes a remarkable assemblage of great singers. My favorite in this work is Gemma Bertagnoli, but all of the others are superb. This work belongs on the shelf of everyone who loves Baroque music."