G.F. Händel, Olinto Pastore, vol. 6 (2009)
1-19 Olinto, pastore arcade
(Oh! Come chiare e belle) [HWV 143]
20-31 Duello amoroso
(Amarilli vezzosa) [HWV 82]
32-35 Alpestre monte [HWV 81]
GEORG FRIEDRICH HAENDEL (1685-1759)
Olinto pastore
Le Cantate Italiane di Handel VI
Rome, 1708
Label: Glossa
Awards: Gramophone Editor’s Choice 2010
The Accademia degli Arcadi - that thought-provoking and ideas-creating literary circle set up by a group of poets, composers, aristocrats and churchmen, which championed a return to classical (and pastoral) ideals and one of whose keenest members was the Marquis Francesco Maria Ruspoli, Handel’s patron in Rome - forms the aesthetic background for this sixth and penultimate release in the series of Italian cantatas by the Saxon composer which Fabio Bonizzoni and La Risonanza are making for Glossa. In an engrossing essay written by Carlo Vitali (which additionally benefits from the counsels of Michael Talbot), the listener/reader is introduced to the social and political references contained within the pastoral texts of Olinto, pastore arcade, Duello amoroso and Alpestre monte, the three Handel cantatas which make up this CD. For this disc Bonizzoni turns again to three of his regular singers (the sopranos Roberta Invernizzi and Yetzabel Arias Fernández and the mezzo soprano Romina Basso) as well as counting upon the services of his exceptional first violinist, the young Swiss Leila Schayegh, an up-and-coming player whose talent is beginning to be an open secret... The spring of 2010 is anticipated as seeing the conclusion of this Handel collection, the grand finale being that marvellous cantata Apollo e Dafne.
Matthias Champon, trumpet
Leila Schayegh, solo violin
Carlo Lazzaroni, Rossella Borsoni, Silvia Colli,
Raffaello Negri, Elena Telò, violins
Caterina Dell’Agnello, cello
Davide Nava, double bass
Total playing time: 68’35
Recorded in Saint-Michel en Thiérache, France, in June 2008
Engineered by Adriaan Verstijnen
Produced by Tini Mathot
Executive producer: Carlos Céster
Design: Valentín Iglesias
Booklet essay: Carlo Vitali
English Français Deutsch Español
“La chiave del successo della collana discografica che Fabio Bonizzoni e il suo ensemble dedicano alle Cantate italiane di Händel risiede nella naturalezza con cui gli interpreti aderiscono al dettato testuale, assecondando le richieste delle partiture con una facilità che deriva dalla confidenza con l’autore e con il suo stile, e che consente al musicista di rendere con cura anche le atmosfere, le sfaccettature psicologiche, il microcosmo che l’Autore disegna e fa vivere in questi piccoli melodrammi. Di fronte a pagine piuttosto complesse sotto il versante della tecnica (sia vocale che strumentale) il risultato di apparire spontanei, facendo dimenticare lo sforzo esecutivo, è davvero un raggiungimento notevole.”
Mario Marcarini, Musica, Luglio-Agosto 2010
“All three singers are seductive [...]. In all three works the instrumental playing and intimate, luminous recording, approaches perfection.
Outstanding Italian Händel, then, so much so that this writer is sad to hear that the series is almost at an end, with just one more volume to come. Here’s hoping they think again.”
Andrew McGregor, BBC Music - 16th February 2010
“The [sonata] features joyous playing from La Risonanza, and Fabio Bonizzoni's accompaniments for his three excellent singers are meticulously realised and crafted. La Risonanza's subtle and cultivated style produces a revelatory performance..”
Gramophone – March 2010
“Bonizzoni's direction and the superb playing of La Risonanza are state-of-the-art Handel”
The Sunday Times - 7th February 2010
