Baroque Opera - Classical Explorer

Italian Baroque

The continuing resurgence of Nicolai Porpora: L'Angelica from Martina Franca

Porpora's L'Angelica is a wonderful piece, full of invention

Purcell

Purcell's Dido: Superb cast, superb performance

A vibrant Dido

Live Performance

Unalloyed Delight: Handel's Acis & Galatea at Opera Holland Park

Do catch this Acis, which must surely be the first of many forays into Handel opera by Opera Holland Park

Vivaldi

Vivaldi Opera: L'Olimpiade at the Linbury

Vivaldi L’Olimpiade, RV 725, Soloists; Orchestra of Irish National Opera / Peter Whelan (director / harpsichord). Linbury Theatre, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 13.05.2024 Production: Director – Daisy Evans Costume & Set Designs – Molly O’Cathain Lighting Design – Jake Wiltshire Movement Director – Matthew Forbes Cast: Licida – Meili Li Clistene – Chuma

Baroque Opera

Cavalli's “Il Xerse” from Martina Franca

This remains an invaluable release, one full of cherishable moments

Lully

Christophe Rousset's Lully series continues with Atys

This is an unmissable release from first to last, and the (current) jewel in the crown of Rousset's Lully opéra series

Cavalli

Cavalli's L'Egisto from Versailles

Cavalli's score is magnificent, and to have it honoured by forces such as this is simply marvellous

17th Century

Venus and Dido: Two British Operas

The relationship between Blow’s Venus and Adonis and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas is well-documented, particularly as regards their final choruses (with Purcell modelling his finale on Blow’s), but to hear the two together is rare. And, it turn out, a delight. Blow's Venus and Adonis

Schutz

Schütz' beautiful Dafne

A stunning act of creative historial musicology, caught in a committed performance and fine recording

Handel

Handel's Amadigi di Gaula with a star-studded cast

Faultlessly cast, this release will bring you just that little bit closer to Heaven. Remarkable!

Baroque Opera

Titon et L'Aurore at the Opéra Comique

A fabulous performance of an opéra that is a real discovery. Try this: you won't regret it

Baroque Opera

Rameau Platée on Bluray/DVD

Hilarious, and just what we need in these interesting times

Purcell

Purcell: Dido & Aeneas courtesy of William Christie

A fascinating take from Deborah Warner on Purcell's masterpiece

Baroque Opera

More Baroque Opera: Lully's Atys

An unmissable demonstration of great French opera in a simply beautiful production

Graupner

More Graupner! Cantatas (and an opera)

Two beautifully complementary releases then, revealing different sides of this fascinating composer.

Baroque Opera

A Tale of Two Artax(s)erx(s)es

Artax(s)erx(s)es = (assasination + murder)

Baroque Opera

Hercules In Love: Cavalli in Paris

A rare opportunity hear Francesco Cavalli's Ercole Amante (Hercules in Love)

Baroque Opera

Underworld, ghosts, revivification: Gluck's Alceste in Bavaria

(All production images copyright Wilfried Hösl; Classical Explorer would like to express its thanks to Bayerische Staatsoper for access to the photos used in this article.) An Early Music weekend it turns out: today, Gluck; tomorrow, Lassus. Grace is one of the defining characteristics of Gluck's music; and,

Baroque Opera

Cesti's 'La Dori' from Innsbruck: gender fluidity and tragicomedy

Unjustifiably neglected today, Pietro Antonio Cesti (1623-1669) was one of the most respected composers of Venetian Baroque opera