Christophe Rousset, Les Talens Lyriques - Tommaso Traetta: Antigona (2000)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 618 Mb | Total time: 79:16+80:41 | Scans included
Classical | Label: DECCA | # 460 204-2 | Recorded: 2000
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 618 Mb | Total time: 79:16+80:41 | Scans included
Classical | Label: DECCA | # 460 204-2 | Recorded: 2000
In November 1772, as the 16-year-old Mozart was preparing to astonish the Milanese with his third operatic work for the Teatro Regio Ducal, his older contemporary, Tommaso Traetta (1727–79) from the Puglia region of Italy, was presenting the premiere of his second opera for the court of Catherine the Great in St Petersburg. Today, the former’s Lucio Silla is probably better known than the latter’s Antigona. But which is the finer work? On the basis of this outstanding new recorded version, I would say that Traetta’s tragedia per musica in three acts far outclasses Mozart’s opera seria for its consistent musical inspiration and sheer theatrical know-how.