George Petrou, Armonia Atenea, Vivica Genaux, Mary-Ellen Nesi, Sonia Prina & Romina Basso - Baroque Divas (2015) [24/48]

The history of opera is inseparably linked with the biographies of singers. Audiences have always been fascinated by the musical highlights and the goings-on behind the scenes alike. The battle for prestige and fame was particularly passionate during the Baroque age.

In Baroque opera – and especially in Neapolitan opera – the “prima donna” and “primo uomo” were so important that they could in fact give famous composers instructions as to what they wanted their arias to be like. Thus, it comes as no surprise that these singers reached cultic status and stardom, which eventually led to legendary rivalries.

The Haendel performers Francesca Cuzzoni and Faustina Bordoni were among the most acclaimed divas of the Baroque age. They were fierce competitors, even resorting to fisticuffs on stage. With tongue-in-cheek humour, present-day primadonnas Vivica Genaux, Mary-Ellen Nesi, Sonia Prina and Romina Basso follow in the footsteps of their passionate predecessors. Extra spice is added by the fact the these present-day divas will also perform arias that, in the Baroque era, were the province of male singers.

These three star mezzos and the wonderful contralto will be accompanied by the superb Greek orchestra Armonia Atenea under conductor George Petrou, winner of Germany’s prestigious ECHO Klassik Prize.

Enjoy a marvellous recital, bringing to life the rich heritage of Baroque opera –the acme of musical enjoyment and the entertaining element of cultic stardom alike.

Tracklist:
01. Veracini: Adriano in Syria "Amor dover rispetto " - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Vivica Genaux
02. Hasse: Artaserse Opera in 3 Acts "Eccomi??." - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Sonia Prina
03. Hasse: Artaserse Opera in 3 Acts "Pallido il sole" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Sonia Prina
04. Gluck: Iphigenie en Aulide, Wq 40 / Act 3 "Ma fille ? Jupiter, lance ta foudre!" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Mary-Ellen Nesi
05. Vivaldi: Il Giustino, RV 717 / Act 2 "Vedro con mio diletto" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Romina Basso
06. Hasse: Tigrane "Solca il mar e nel periglio" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Sonia Prina
07. Hasse: Tigrane "Fra quest'ombre Solimano" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Vivica Genaux
08. Bononcini: Astianatte "Spera che questo cor" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Mary-Ellen Nesi
09. Gluck: Paride ed Elena, Wq 39 / Act 2 "Le belle immagini d'un dolce amore" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Vivica Genaux
10. Vinci: Astianatte "Ti calpesto, o crudo amore" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Sonia Prina
11. Sarri: Siroe re di Persia "A torrente che ruina" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Romina Basso
12. Porta: Siface Rev. Sellitto "Ti parli nel seno speranza ed amore" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Mary-Ellen Nesi
13. Caldara: Euristeo "Daranno all'ira mia" - Armonia Atenea and George Petrou and Romina Basso

Personnel:
Vivica Genaux, mezzo-soprano
Mary-Ellen Nesi, mezzo-soprano
Romina Basso, mezzo-soprano
Sonia Prina, contralto
Armonia Atenea
George Petrou, Dirigent