Johann Adolf Hasse: Artaserse

Product Description A classic work of its genre and historical period, Artaserse was premièred in Venice in 1730 by the most famous singers of the day: Farinelli in the role of Arbace, Cuzzoni as Mandane and the castrato Nicolino as Artabano. It was a success for Hasse, who would, in 1740 and 1760, re-propose the same work in two different versions. Our DVD features the Venetian one, in world première. The cast is extraordinary, with the countertenor Franco Fagioli giving a great performance of the role that was Farinelli's. Fagioli easily goes up and down the extension of more than three octaves, maintaining a uniform timbre and remarkable power and resonance. Also stunning, is the aria ""Pallido sole"" sung by Sonia Prina. Review "Fogioli has a tense and mercurial stage presence, he is much in demand for Italian baroque opera productions. Both he and Philippe Jarrousky are considered the crème de la crème of current countertenors, for Italian Baroque opera." --Toronto Early Music News Volume 30, No. 4