L'Apotheose - Opera Viva - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

?Formed in 2016, the Spanish Baroque ensemble L'Apothéose has quickly established itself as a key player on the historically informed music scene. The multi awarded group (winner of the York Early Music International Young Artists Competition in 2019, Second Prize at the Internationaal Van Wassenaer Competition in 2018, First Prize at the Göttingen Händel Competition in 2017, Second Prize at the Concours International de Musique Ancienne du Val de Loire in 2017) makes it's debut for Linn with a programme of music by Carl Philipp Stamitz (1745-1801). The eldest son of the celebrated Mannheim school founder Johann Stamitz, Carl Philipp was a well-travelled virtuoso and a composer in his own right. Published around 1780 during his stay in London, the rarely recorded Six Trios à une flute ou deux violons et violoncello obligé, Op. 14, showcases the expertise of L'Apothéose's musicians.

To celebrate 30 years of the Concert Spirituel, Hervé Niquet pays homage to the French musical patrimony of the 17th and 18th centuries, to whose exploration he remains passionately devoted. In close collaboration with Benoit Dratwicki and the Centre de Musique Baroque de Versailles - which also celebrated it's 30th anniversary in 2018 -they have devised an intriguingly unconventional programme idea. Following the example of Louis XIV, who in 1671 asked Lully to create a Ballet of ballets consisting of extracts from the thirty or so ballets that the composer had put on at court, they have conceived 'An Imaginary Opera,' a veritable 'Opera of Operas' around thirty extracts, with well-known repertoire alongside rarities - some completely unknown and unpublished - have been put together to create a plot centered around three dramatic archetypes of the period a princess in love, a witch queen (her rival) and a courageous prince. All the themes of French baroque opera are illustrated in turn, according to the rules of the genre battle, tempest, sorcery, love duets, religious invocations, and sleep. The virtuoso arias, dazzling ballets and imposing ceremonial choruses are by Lully and Rameau, naturally - but also by Campra, Marais, Bertin de La Doué, Destouches, Stück, Gervais, Colin de Blamont, Rebel, Francœur, Montéclair, Leclair and Dauvergne. Brilliantly brought to life by the very finest of today's baroque lyric artists, this recording was made at the Opéra Royal de Versailles.

Arnaud Marzorati - Et Puis Apres [COMPACT DISCS] date 11/08/2005