Nicolo Balducci - Castrapolis - SUPER-AUDIO CD [Super Audio CD (SACD)]

After two albums devoted to Italian music from the 17th and 18th centuries (BIS-2585 and BIS-2645), male soprano Nicolo Balducci now offers us a recital devoted to the greatest representatives of Viennese Classicism - Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven - in the company of the fortepianist Anna Paradiso, whom we recently heard in a recording devoted to the work of Caroline Ridderstolpe together with mezzo-soprano Kristina Hammarstrom (BIS-2675).The vocal compositions gathered here, which include such rarities as two songs in French by Beethoven, are performed by a male soprano - in many cases the first time they have been recorded by this voice type. This original approach by the two performers makes it possible 'to explore unusual nuances, both in the interpretation and in the InchsoundscapeInch of this music, and to find new angles of inspiration in our interpretations' (Balducci). The combination of high voice and fortepiano emphasises the link between sound and words, with a dimension closer to chamber music, inspired by the specific timbre of the instruments. 'One of the fascinating aspects of the pieces on this recording is the power of their rhetorical expression', writes Paradiso. Balducci and Paradiso invite us here to be entertained and moved and to discover 'glimpses of intimate connections and shared secrets'. Details 1. Adelaide, Op. 46 2. Als Luise die Briefe ihres ungetreuen Liebhabers verbrannte, K 520 3. Abendempfindung an Laura, K 523 4. An Chloe, K 524 5. Fidelity, Hob. XXVIa 30 (No. 6 of Original Canzonettas, Set I) 6. Mermaid's Song, Hob. XXVIa 25 (No. 1 of Original Canzonettas, Set I) 7. Pastoral Song, Hob. XXVIa 27 (No. 3 of Original Canzonettas, Set I) 8. Spirit's Song, Hob. XXVIa 41 9. Adagio in B minor, K 540 for keyboard solo 10. Dans un bois solitaire, K 308/295b 11. Plaisir d'aimer, WoO 128 12. Que le temps me dure, WoO

In the autumn of 1725, as France celebrated the union of Louis XV and Marie Leszczynska, the French ambassador in Venice entrusted Vivaldi with the composition of a serenata in honor of the young royal couple. This commission inspired a sumptuous work, carried by two allegorical figures Imeneo, god of marriage, and Gloria, the radiant embodiment of French majesty. In turn, these voices rise, echo each other, and gracefully contend in virtuosity, before blending in a sumptuous final duet, sealing their tribute in perfect harmony. Logan Lopez Gonzalez and Nicolo Balducci lend their talent and sensitivity to these roles, exalting Vivaldi's music. In the profusion of his work, this brief yet striking piece stands out as much for it's diplomatic finesse as for it's inspired brilliance - an enchantment offered to the French Court. Album Tracks 1. Concerto No. 11 en Sol Majeur, RV 150~I. Allegro 2. Concerto No. 11 en Sol Majeur, RV 150~II. Largo 3. Concerto No. 11 en Sol Majeur, RV 150~III. Allegro 4. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Récitatif. Dall'eccelsa mia Reggia 5. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Aria. Alle amene franche arene 6. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Récitatif. Or del Polono cielo 7. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Aria. Tenero fanciulletto 8. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Récitatif. E voi, Gratie - Quanto avran - O avventura copia 9. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Aria. Questo nodo e questo strale 10. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Récitatif. Dell'Inclita Regina 11. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Aria. Scherzeran sempre d'intorno 12. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Récitatif. Impatiente il desio - Dal luminoso ciglio - S'uniscan omai sempre 13. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Aria. Godi pur ch'il caro 14. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Récitatif. Al vezzo, al guardo - Elitropio amoroso - Parmi gia udir lo sposo 15. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Aria. Care pupille 16. Gloria e Imeneo, RV 687~Récitatif. Da ine

For his second recital album for BIS, countertenor and sopranist Nicolò Balducci, 'a singer of a remarkably sweet sound and distinct vocal agility' (Gramophone), presents arias that evoke love and pain, two basic ingredients of Italian opera in the 18th century. Often tailor-made for specific singers who were in some cases the foremost castrati from that era such as the legendary Farinelli, these arias expressed resolute valour, unbridled fury and sometimes extreme guilt, to the delight of audiences that enjoyed these operas with their far-fetched narratives inspired by mythology or historical events. For this album, Nicolò Balducci is accompanied by the Baroque Academy Gothenburg Symphony under the direction of renowned recorder player Dan Laurin. Together, they perform well-known arias by Handel, from Vivaldi's long neglected operas, as well as by lesser-known composers such as Riccardo Broschi (Farinelli's brother) and Egidio Duni. Details 2. Demofoonte, King of Thrace~Timante's aria Act III Scene 5 Misero Pargoletto 3. Demofoonte, King of Thrace~Timante's aria Act I Scene 4 Sperai vicino il lido