Customer Reviews

Vivica Genaux - Handel & Hasse Opera Arias

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
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Sheer pyrotechnic virtuosity is what Vivica Genaux does best, and the selections on the recital CD, especially the Handel arias, are perfect for her sort of fireworks. In comparison to her earlier Farinelli recital Arias for Farinelli and her recordings of various bel canto favorites, it seems that for Handel and Hasse, and with the conducting of Bernard Labadie, Genaux has whole-heartedly committed herself to "historically informed" Baroque vocal technique. The results are thrilling.

Genaux's timbre has darkened a bit over her career. She is now a rich "manly" mezzo-soprano ( I mean that as praise) with a surprising clarino upper range in reserve. A voice like lustrous mahogany. Recital CDs are a major portion of every singer's marketing strategy these days; I usually prefer to hear such arias and recitativos in the context of the full operas, and I often find CDs such as this one "too much of a good thing". This time, however, as Mozart told the Emperor, there are just enough notes, not a note too many.

A side comment: Most 18th C opera lovers would have no hesitation in declaring that Handel was a 'better' composer than Johann Adolf Hasse. I've been adding a tiny bit of late to the rehabilitation of Hasse, but I'm obliged to say that the selections on this CD from handel's operas Orlando and Alcina are indisputably more 'exciting' than those from Hasse's Arminio and La Scusa. But there are no generalities to be drawn from this incidental comparison.

This CD belongs on the oft-visited shelf of my collection, alongside favorite recitals by Simone Kermes Colori D'amore, Philippe Jaroussky J.C. Bach: La Dolce Fiamma- Forgotten castrato arias, Sara Mingardo, Sara Mingardo-Vocal Music, Sandrine Piau Sandrine Piau - Handel Opera Seria, and Jill Feldman Pianger Di Dolcezza .

Vivica Genaux is an Alaskan born mezzo soprano. And she has some talent. I have previously listened to other of her CDs, my favorite being her work in which she sings the repertoire of the great castrato, Farinelli. Enchanting. This work focuses on her styling of two German composers--George Frederic Handel and Johann Adolf Hasse (whose music, to the best of my knowledge, I've never been exposed to). She is backed by Les Violins du Roy, led by Bernard Labadie.

To illustrate, I'll summarize what I heard from several of the cuts on this CD.

From Handel's "Orlando." First, "Fammi combattere mostri e tifei." Genaux demonstrates absolutely glorious coloratura technique here. She reveals a smooth, creamy mezzo voice, very agile. Her florid singing is solid and more than that in this fast paced aria. This is great fun if you enjoy florid singing. She demonstrates nice trill technique, too. She does not have a huge voice, but it is rich and nimble.

Another piece from "Orlando" is "Ah! Stigie larve. . .Vaghe pupille." There is an interesting instrumental opening. Then, Genaux's voice. The opening is rather slow in tempo, but serves as a vehicle to demonstrate her rich voice in non-florid singing technique. And she shows some dramatic presence, as far as I can tell.

With "Vaghe pupille," she begins to deploy embellishments, thought the pace remains somewhat mannered. Trills are fine (I regret that so few contemporary singers who take on the coloratura repertoire are unable to trill, but that's just me). The final segment picks up the pace. More florid singing., attractively done.

Hasse's "Arminio." One work from this opera, "Ti lascio in ceppi avvinto." Genaux starts off with a well executed trill. She shows considerable vocal range, from dusky lower notes to smoothly sung higher notes. Much of the opening segment is at a rather slow pace, but it is nonetheless captivatingly sung. Genaux's voice is extremely nimble, able to negotiate well the challenges of this work. Another aria from this opera is "Se mia speranza sola." The latter half of this piece is quite animated in pace. Genaux deploys her coloratura technique very ably, with trills galore, runs, appoggiaturas, and other embellishments. Just terrific singing. She ranges from darker lower notes to shimmering higher notes toward the close. Very satisfying to listen to.

This is the third CD of Genaux's that I have had the opportunity to listen to. I find her art absolutely compelling, and look forward listening to more of her work in the future. Highly recommended for those interested in mezzo sopranos attempting bel canto works.

This artist grows with every listening of one of her albums. She is a treasure and so are her renditions; a rare jewel.

This CD nearly overcome the "Farinelli Arias" one by Harmonia Mundi. Dazzling coloratura, deep expression.