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Vivaldi - Orlando finto pazzo
from: Opus / Naïve
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0709861303922
Label: Opus / Naïve
Manufacturer: Opus / Naïve
Number Of Discs: 3
Publisher: Opus / Naïve
Release Date: August 17, 2004
Studio: Opus / Naïve
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Editorial Review:
Orlando Feigns Madness (as the title translates) was Vivaldi's second opera (that we know of) and was composed the same year as his magnificent group of 12 violin concerti called La Stravaganza. This is important to note because not only does Orlando finto pazzo contain literally dozens of fine showpieces for a variety of voices--soprano, a pair of mezzos, a contralto, a countertenor, and a bass--it also exhibits some of Vivaldi's finest string writing. Argillano's first aria, sung with amazing speed and subtlety by mezzo Manuela Custer, ends with a one-minute-and-20-second violin cadenza--or fantasia--which is so remarkable in and of itself that the audience at the time must have been left, as we are, breathless. The next aria, for Grifone (countertenor Martin Oro), is accompanied only by mellow pizzicato strings which seem almost like subconscious movements as the singer quickly and deftly describes a bee flitting from flower to flower, making honey. And throughout the opera we find exciting, innovative string accompaniment to ever more and more elaborate arias. The opera's plot is a confusing affair--the annotators have seen fit to include a diagram explaining it in the booklet--but it contains some thrilling Vivaldian arias, invariably gloriously sung. And with the extra bonus of grand virtuoso string playing, this should please devotees of the composer's violin music as well. --Robert Levine
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - The seccos, the pianissimos, and the great Vivaldi mood arias
Not being the opera buff to appreciate recitativo secco, which abounds here, put me at a disadvantage to enjoy Orlando Finto Pazzo. Mining Vivaldi Operas for the really furious arias also left me almost empty handed. Consequently I found myself hitting the skip button on my blaupunkt through plenty of mellow passages.
Unlike the other Vivaldi Operas, this one is mostly low key. With the exception of the sinfonias, and a few arias, the music sounds much tamed and unlike what I would expect ... Read More
Rating:  - Vivaldi Opera: A Rare Jewel
I listened to parts of this recording and was stunned. The variety of showpieces for counter-tenor (or castrati in Vivaldi's time) soprano, alto and mezzo soprano are exquisite and sensational, truly virtuosic pieces only a special few can master. This is something perhaps not even Cecilia Bartoli can take on. Vivaldi's opera music is fiendishly difficult. The music ranges from stormy, jumping coloratura fireworks to achingly slow long arias sung in pianissimi. The music is wonderful and at this time Vivaldi ... Read More
Rating: - intoxicating music
Vivaldi's operas have been a revelation to me, not for their dramatic content if any but due to the wonderfully inventive music. I started with Andromeda Liberata which I heard on internet radio, a mysterious apparent pastiche with at least one aria from Vivaldi, full of very exciting and beautiful music. Orlando Finto Pazzo is also excellent, disk 1 is so good I haven't gotten beyond disk 2 yet. Even without any discernible meaningful drama (I start to doze reading the plot), Vivaldi's music is superb and ... Read More
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