Handel - Fernando / Zazzo, Cangemi, Pizzolato, Abete, Cencic, Adami, Banerjee, Il Complesso Barocco, Curtis

George Frideric Handel (Composer), Alan Curtis (Conductor), Il Complesso Barocco (Orchestra), Lawrence Zazzo (Performer), Veronica Cangemi (Performer), Marianna Pizzolato (Performer), Antonio Abete (Performer), Max Emanuel Cencic (Performer), Filippo Adami (Performer), Neal Banerjee (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Lawrence Zazzo, Veronica Cangemi, Marianna Pizzolato, Antonio Abete, Max Emanuel Cencic, et al.
• Orchestra: Il Complesso Barocco
• Conductor: Alan Curtis
• Composer: George Frideric Handel
• Audio CD (February 6, 2007)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Virgin Classics (EMI)
• ASIN: B000FIHZM8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,203 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Ouverture. Largo

2. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Ouverture. Allegro

3. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Ouverture. Allegro

4. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 1. Scene 1. Recitativo. Di mio padre al furore

5. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 1. Scene 1. Recitativo accompagnato. Voi miei fidi compagni

6. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 1. Scene 1. Coro militare. Alla strage, alla morte, alla vittoria!

7. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 1. Scene 2. Recitativo. Madre e regina

8. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 1. Scene 2. Recitativo accompagnato. Rasserena, Isabella

9. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 1. Scene 2. Aria. Rendi 'l sereno al ciglio

10. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 1. Scene 3-4. Recitativo. Giusti numi

See all 33 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 8. Recitativo. Grazie al Cielo

2. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 8. Duetto. Per le porte del tormento

3. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 9. Recitativo. S'oggi smorzasti l'ire

4. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 9. Aria. Alle sfere della gloria

5. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 10-12. Recitativo. Alfonso amato

6. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 10-12. Aria. Vado al campo

7. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 13. Recitativo. Mio sposo, ahi! qual orrore

8. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 13. Aria. In mille dolci modi

9. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 14. Recitativo. Parmi che un dolce raggio

10. Sosarme, re di Media, opera, HWV 30: Act 2. Scene 14. Aria. Vola l'augello dal caro nido

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I can't believe you can have so different opinions..., August 22, 2007

By 

Luca Begonia (Genoa, Italy) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handel - Fernando / Zazzo, Cangemi, Pizzolato, Abete, Cencic, Adami, Banerjee, Il Complesso Barocco, Curtis (Audio CD)

I totally disagree with the previous, negative, comment on Curtis' performing of "Fernando". Curtis is one of the most outstanding and renowned Handel's specialists all around the world, and we can easily understand why, even from this recording. The music is exceptional, the singers are much more than just good or mediocre (especially the two countertenors), the irresitible rhythmic drive makes the listening a pure pleasure, and the reconstruction of the original score has a special historical interest. All in all this is what I usually look for in ancient music!!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner from Curtis and Handel, April 26, 2007

By 

Robert M. Nichols "Music Lover" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handel - Fernando / Zazzo, Cangemi, Pizzolato, Abete, Cencic, Adami, Banerjee, Il Complesso Barocco, Curtis (Audio CD)

Again Alan Curtis has demonstrated that he is the premier interpreter of Handel's operas. The music and singing contained in "Fernando" are very soothing to the ears and uplifts your spirit. Like a fine wine it improves with every successive partaking. Not to wear you out with cliches but it truly is an oasis in an otherwise insane world. Thank goodness there is music like this being produced. If you're a fan of Handel, Baroque music, or Alan Curtis don't walk but run (i.e. click your mouse) and purchase this CD without another moment's hesitation. Don't be dissuaded that there are only two CDs contained herein. The first CD contains 71 minutes of music and the second 77 minutes. Enjoy!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding performance of the struggle between father and son, September 18, 2010

By 

Omar Alvarez Pereira "Haendelian heart" (Leon, Nicaragua) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Handel - Fernando / Zazzo, Cangemi, Pizzolato, Abete, Cencic, Adami, Banerjee, Il Complesso Barocco, Curtis (Audio CD)

The opera «Fernando, re di Castiglia» (1732) by Georg Friedrich Händel deals with the struggle for the Kingdom between Dionisio I of Portugal (Filippo Adami) and his son Alfonso (Neal Banerjee) and how a wicked mind like Altomaro (played by the great bass Antonio Abete) provokes the worst feelings between the both; the aria «Tiene Giove in mano il folgore» was an attempt of Altomaro to justify the most horrible crime or misdeed that a father could commit.

One of the most beautiful arias of this masterwork is «Se discordia ne disciolse», sung by Dionisio, but Lawrence Zazzo as Fernando, the King of Castle is superb; his aria «Mi oporró da generoso» is a great proof of gorgheggi.

Max Emanuel Cencic as the prince Sancio is very good, too and has a very, very powerful voice in spite of he is a countertenor; in his aria «So che il ciel ben spesso gode», he speaks about the injustice in the world and establishes a relationship between Alfonso and Dionisio and the heavens that dropped thunders against Christ. A good comparison! Good performance of Alan Curtis and Il Complesso Barocco!