Repertoire
CHARLES AVISON: Concerto grosso in D major No. 6 Largo – Con furia.
LEONARDO VINCI: L’Artaserse. “Fra cento affanni e cento”
LEONARDO VINCI: Ermelinda. “Nube di denso orrore”
CHARLES AVISON: Concerto Grosso No. 5 in D minor Largo – Allegro (final)
GEORG FRIEDRICH HANDEL: Agrippina – “Otton, Otton… Voi che udite il mio lamento”
GEORG FRIEDRICH HANDEL: Oreste – “Agitato da fiere tempeste”
GEORG FRIEDRICH HANDEL: Giulio Cesare – “L’angue offeso mai riposa”
LEONARDO VINCI: Medo – “Scherzo dell’onda instabile”
FRANCESCO GEMINIANI: Concerto grosso 12 “La Folia”
LEONARDO VINCI: Siroe – “Gelido in ogni vena”
CHARLES AVISON: Concerto grosso no. 3 Largo andante – Allegro
GEORG FRIEDRICH HANDEL: Il pastor fido – “Sento brillar nel sen”
Artists
Il Pomo d’Oro
Zefira Valova, violin and conductor
Franco Fagioli, countertenor
Program
Of all early music ensembles, the Il Pomo d’Oro orchestra, founded by Italian Riccardo Minasi, is probably one of the most intent on recovering the repertoire of the castrato singers of the Baroque period. This is evidenced by a discography full of collaborations with the most outstanding countertenors of today, such as Max Emanuel Cenčić, Jakub Józef Orliński, Xavier Sabata and Vince Yi, among others.
If the 18th century was the time of the castrati, a few decades ago it became that of the countertenors who, because of their impeccable vocal technique, have recovered not only a practice that disappeared centuries ago but also a repertoire known for its spectacularity. Among these singers of undeniable technique and outstanding musicality is Argentinian Franco Fagioli, a regular soloist with Il Pomo d’Oro. Together they have explored the most virtuous and also the most emotional pieces dedicated to the castrati by Handel and Vinci. Both composers enjoyed great success in opera and wrote for the best singers of the time. While Handel triumphed on London stages, Vinci enjoyed success in Naples, another of the great opera centres of the Baroque period. All set up for an enjoyable night at the opera.
