VIVALDI Ercole sul Termodonte / Fabio Biondi 2cd

Rolando Villazón (Ercole – Tenor),
Patrizia Ciofi (Orizia – Soprano),
Diana Damrau (Martesia- Soprano),
Joyce DiDonato (Ippolita – Mezzo-Soprano),
Vivica Genaux (Antiope – Mezzo-Soprano),
Topi Lehtipuu (Telemone – Tenor),
Philippe Jaroussky (Alceste – countertenor),
Romina Basso (Teseo – Mezzo-Soprano)

Europa Galante (Early Music Ensemble)
Fabio Biondi

Release date: 24th Jan 2020
Label: Erato
Catalogue number: 9029532061
0190295320614

Fabio Biondi, who was deeply involved in the reconstruction of this lost score, is surrounded here by a stunning cast of stars – Joyce DiDonato, Vivica Genaux, Diana Damrau, Philippe Jaroussky, Rolando Villazón – who come together as an ensemble of sumptuous unity and balance. In 1723, at a time when he was very short of regular employment, Vivaldi was invited to compose his first Roman opera, to a libretto based on the ninth task of Hercules. Vivaldi gave of his best, including some hits from his earlier operas, and created a masterwork that exemplified his expressive range and offered a catalogue of striking orchestral and harmonic effects. The opera was such a triumph that the Pope himself requested a performance.