Customer Reviews

L'Opera Buffa Napoletana

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This is one of my all time favorites. I have this CD since 1998 and I keep going back to it time and time again. Both instrumental playing and singing is superb. This CD was my first introduction to Concerto Italiano and to Sara Mingardo. Since then I bought more and more. All my friends now listen to Ms. Mingardo. I traveled to Milan for one of her performances.
Anything by Concerto Italiano and anything by Sara Mingardo is highly recomended.

Italian contralto Sara Mingardo comes from Venice, so it is highly appropriate for her to interpret and perform the several cantate by Vivaldi in this compilation.
The mahongony-like timbre of Signora Mingardo has to be listened to be believed. Listen to the aria Se A Me Rivolge Il Ciglio, the lilt and intonation, the utter precision and evenness of tone throughout, it nothing but contralto singing of the highest order, with the added bonus of coloratura technique. Then in the more virtuosic aria Nell orrido Albergo, Mingardo's demonstrates the wonderful expressiveness and expansiveness of the aria with impeccable technique and prowess. The orchestra backs up her wonderful timbre with genuine baroque gusto. Then in the more lyrical Ah, Chinfelice Sempre, the fully mellifluous singing again conjures up an highly affecting aura in the minor key of the aria, contrasted with the powerful sobbing like outbursts in the middle section.
The chamber orchestra Concerto Italiano plays beautifully in the concerti pieces in authentic baroque style under Alessandrini.
This early recording of Vivaldi's works is a true baroque classic, and should not be missed under any circumstances.

I am by no means an Opera expert, I bought this CD because I enjoy Harpsicord music. It is very listenable and entertaining to the ears. I love it!

Just about everybody has heard of "The Four Seasons". That is what Vivaldi is mostly remembered for. What most people don't know is that he wrote hundreds of concertos and cantatas, several operas and sacred music. He was a very prolific composer. This CD is basically a wonderful little taste of Vivaldi's many concertos and cantatas, exquisitely performed by Sara Mingardo and Concerto Italiano under Rinaldo Alessandrini. I have listened to this CD over a dozen times since I've bought it last month. This is one of my favorites!