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L'Orfeo by Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) is often described as the first opera. The composer himself used another term for his work, however: 'favola in musica', a musical tale. Taking this as their point of departure, the performers on the present recording place the emphasis on the libretto's direct narrative, and how the music alone is used to express emotions, a music which underpins the plot and the text word for word. To quote the liner notes: 'To modern ears the musical heritage of L'Orfeo is more to be found in the Lieder tradition than in the grand opera of the nineteenth century.' The tale told by Monteverdi and the members of the three ensembles which bring his score to life, is that of Orpheus, the poet and musician who travels to the Underworld in order to persuade Hades to let his beloved Eurydice return to the living. Under the direction of Fredrik Malmberg, and with Johan Linderoth as their Orfeo, the 38 singers and musicians that make up Ensemble Lundabarock, Höör Barock and Ensemble Altapunta perform a score which in 1607 was state-of-the-art contemporary. Four full centuries after the first performance in Mantua it remains almost shockingly modern, as in the sound of cornetts and trombones that summon up the spirits of the Underworld or the portrayal of undiluted, raw grief in Orfeo's celebrated aria Possente Spirto.
Tracklist:
- L'orfeo, Sv 318: Toccata
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Prologue: Dal Mio Permesso Amato
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: In Questo Lieto E Fortunato Giorno
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Vieni Imeneo, Deh Vieni (1)
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Muse, Honor Di Parnaso
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Lasciate I Monti (1)
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Ma Tu Gentil Cantor
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Rosa Del Ciel, Vita Del Mondo
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Io Non Dirò
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Lasciate I Monti (2)
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Vieni Imeneo, Deh Vieni (2)
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Ma S'il Nostro Gioir
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act I: Alcun Non Sia
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act II: Ecco Pur Ch'a Voi Ritorno
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act II: Ahi Caso Acerbo (1)
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act II: In Un Fiorito Prato
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act II: Tu Se' Morta
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act II: Ahi Caso Acerbo (2)
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act II: Ma Io Ch'in Questa Lingua
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act II: Chi Ne Consola Ahi Lassi?
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: Sinfonia
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: Scorto Da Te, Mio Nume
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: Ecco L'atra Palude
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: Dove, Ah Dove Te'n Vai
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: O Tu Ch'innanzi Morte
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: Possente Spirto
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: Sol Tu, Nobile Dio
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: Ben Mi Lusinga Alquanto
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: Ei Dorme
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act III: Nulla Impresa Per Huom
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act IV: Signor, Quell'infelice
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act IV: Benchè Severo E Immutabil Fato
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act IV: O Degli Habitator
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act IV: Quali Grazie Ti Rendo
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act IV: Pietade Oggi
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act IV: Qual Honor Di Te Fia Degno
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act IV: Ahi Vista Troppo Dolce
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act IV: È La Virtute Un Raggio
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act V: Ritornello
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act V: Questi I Campi Di Tracia
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act V: Perchè A Lo Sdegno E Al Dolor In Preda
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act V: Padre Cortese Al Maggior Uopo Arrivi
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act V: Saliam Cantando Al Cielo
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act V: Vanne Orfeo, Felice A Pieno
- L'orfeo, Sv 318, Act V: Moresca
UPC: 7318599925196
Label: Bis
Release Date: 5.7.21
Format: CD
