Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice (Remastered) Renato Fasano

• Christoph Willibald Gluck (1714-1787): Orfeo ed Euridice:
• 1 Overtura 03:13
• Act I:
• 2 Ah, se intorno a quest'urna funesta 04:38
• 3 Amici, quel lamento aggrava il mio dolore 00:40
• 4 Pantomime 02:12
• 5 Ah, se intorno a quest'urna funesta 02:13
• 6 Restar vogl'io da sol fra l'ombre oscure 01:57
• 7 Chiamo il mio ben così 01:24
• 8 Euridice, Euridice, ombra cara 01:51
• 9 Cerco il mio ben così 01:26
• 10 Euridice! Euridice! 01:38
• 11 Piango il mio ben così 01:32
• 12 O Numi, barbari Numi 01:33
• 13 Amore assisterà l'infelice consorte! 00:37
• 14 Se il dolce suon de la tua lira 01:04
• 15 Ciel! Lei riveder potrò! 01:16
• 16 Gli sguardi trattieni 01:59
• 17 Che disse? Che ascoltai? 02:43
• Act II: Scene 1:
• 18 Introduzione 01:35
• 19 Chi mai dell'Erebo 00:36
• 20 Ballo 00:43
• 21 Chi mai dell'Erebo 01:11
• 22 Deh! placatevi con me! 02:39
• 23 Misero giovine! Che vuoi, che mediti? 01:07
• 24 Mille pene, ombre sdegnose 01:15
• 25 Ah! quale incognito affetto flebile 00:56
• 26 Men tiranne, ah, voi sareste 00:48
• 27 Ah! quale incognito affetto flebile 01:37
• 28 Ballo delle Furie 04:11
• Scene 2:
• 29 Ballo degli Spiriti Beati 08:33
• 30 Air 02:32
• 31 Questo asilo di placide calme 03:03
• 32 Che puro ciel! Che chiaro sol! 04:16
• 33 Vieni ai regni del riposo 02:09
• 34 Ballo degli Eroi 01:57
• 35 O voi, ombre felici 00:57
• 36 Torna, o bella, al tuo consorte 02:51
• Act III:
• 37 Vieni, segui i miei passi 04:38
• 38 Vieni, appaga il tuo consorte! 04:02
• 39 Qual vita è questa mai 01:50
• 40 Che fiero momento! 00:51
• 41 Avvezza al contento d'un placido obblio 01:44
• 42 Che fiero momento! 00:53
• 43 Ecco novel tormento! 03:11
• 44 Che farò senza Euridice? 04:35
• 45 Ah! finisca e per sempre 01:26
• 46 Orfeo! Che fai? 02:00
• 47 Trionfi Amore! 03:36
• 48 Gracieux 02:28
• 49 Gavotte 02:14
• 50 Air vif 03:13
• 51 Menuet 02:12
• 52 Divo Amore, son tue pene estasiante voluttà 03:25
• 53 Maestoso 00:40
• 54 Très lentement 03:08
• 55 Chaconne 08:04
• Total Runtime 02:09:02

Info for Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice (Remastered)

This recording of Orfeo dates back 25 years. It was much admired in its day, and may still be. It presents a traditional composite version of the score, incorporating most of the Paris additions (but not the bravura aria for Orfeo at the end of Act 1) with the alto voice and the key-scheme to go with it from the Viennese-Italian version: an understandable attempt to get the best of every world. Shirley Verrett makes a deeply impressive Orfeo, firm and pure in sound, classically restrained in expression; and her ''Che faro'', at a moderate, beautifully judged speed, is very finely sung, poised and quietly moving. The many other good moments include ''Che puro ciel'', done with a real sense of wonderment, to sounds of delicious refinement from the orchestra. Anna Moffo provides a competent, not specially interesting Euridice and there is an Amor of real charm and style from the late Judith Raskin.

The set is conducted by Renato Fasano, whose pacing of the score shows a very sure touch. The dance music has a grace and lightness, and a stylistic command, that one might not have expected from an orchestra which in those days seemed to be fed chiefly on a diet of Vivaldi. Their Gluck playing is first-rate; nowadays we tend to phrase this music in less long-breathed a way, but this performance is of its time and represents its time persuasively. There is an excellent chorus, singing in their native tongue—a real advantage.

Anybody wanting a traditional mixed text of Orfeo should, I think, consider this version very seriously. The immediate competitor is of course the recent Haenchen set, with Jochen Kowalski (Capriccio/Target), whose smooth yet passionate singing is undeniably impressive; but taken all round I am inclined to recommend the Verrett on the strength of the direction and supporting cast to anyone wanting this text and certainly to anyone who is not happy with a male alto as Orfeo. My own preference, among all current performances, remains with the Kuijken set on Accent, on period instruments and offering a 'pure' text, but I realize that it will not be to everyone's taste. (tanley Sadie, Gramophone)

Shirley Verrett, mezzo-soprano (Orfeo)
Anna Moffo, soprano (Euridice)
Judith Raskin, soprano (Amor)
I Virtuosi di Roma
Renato Fasano, conductor

Digitally remastered

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