The sequence of Italian operas on this recording take us from the birth of opera at the end of the sixteenth century to the first flowerings of the Classical period nearly 200 years later. The extraordinary power and agility of Dmitri Hvorostovsky’s voice comes fully into its own on this recording, allowing for a richness and projection not always enjoyed in this rarefied area of the repertoire.
Vittoria, Mio Core! – Carissimi
Se Il Cor Guerriero (Tito Manilio) – Vivaldi
O Del Mio Dolce Ardor (Paride Ed Elena) – Gluck
Caro Mio Ben – Giordani
Dignare O Domine (Detting Te Deum) – Handel
Orribile Lo Scempio (Tito Manlio) – Vivaldi
Selve Amiche (La Costanza in Amor Vince L’anganno) – Caldara
Che Faro Senza Euridice? (Orfeo Ed Euridice) – Gluck
Frondi Tenere, E Belle – Ombra Mai Fu (Serse) – Handel
Sorge Infausta (Orlando) – Handel
Come Raggio Di Sol – Caldara
Vergin, Tutto Amor – Durante
Chi Sprezzando (Brockes Passion) – Handel
Gia Il Sole Dal Gange – Scarlatti
Nina – Anonymous
Danza, Danza, Fanciulla – Durante
Amarilli, Mia Bella – Caccini
Si Mantiene Il Mio Amor – Cesti
Pieta, Signore – Stradella