VIVAT117

Abbandonata – Handel Italian Cantatas

Abbandonata – Handel Italian Cantatas

£8.00 – £15.00

Carolyn Sampson soprano
The King’s Consort
Robert King

“Enthusiastically recommended to Sampson’s many admirers and Handel lovers alike”
(Gramophone)

“This entrancing disc – Robert King’s consort is a British treasure”
(Otago Daily Times)

 

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Acclaimed soprano Carolyn Sampson, partnered by Robert King and The King’s Consort, with whom she has been strongly associated throughout her professional career, turns her talents to Handel’s two most dramatic cantatas, linked by the theme of abandoned women.

During his stay in Italy from 1706-10 the young Handel’s eyes and ears were opened wide. Hearing Italian music played by Italian musicians in Italian palazzos, churches and theatres must have been jaw-dropping. Nowhere are those influences more vividly demonstrated than in his early Italian cantatas.

In Armida abbandonata the heroine tries, and fails, to abandon the love that has abandoned her. Storms, passion, monsters, yearning, heartache, anguish and finally resignation are all portrayed in this strongest of cantatas. Even more powerful emotions are conjured up in Agrippina condotta a morire. The mother of the crazed emperor Nero is ruthless, ambitious, scheming, domineering, violent and beautiful. Realising that she has been betrayed by her own son, her emotions swing through disbelief, injustice, fury, resentment, grief, betrayal, resilience, pride, self-pity, humiliation, thwarted vengeance and finally come to resignation. Handel pushes all the boundaries, showing techniques that were to be incorporated into his works for decades to come in music of astonishing originality. Carolyn Sampson powerfully captures the drama in full-blooded, committed performances.

Recorded in world-class new recording venue, Alpheton New Maltings, demonstrating its exceptional acoustic of striking clarity and warmth.

Extensive presentation includes 60 page booklet with liner note in three languages by Dr Ruth Smith, full texts and translations, and six pages of session photos.

Track Composer Title Duration Play
1 Handel Dietro l’orme fugaci, HWV 105 1’13  
2 Handel Ah! Crudele, HWV 105 7’37  
3 Handel Per te mi struggo, HWV 105 0’30  
4 Handel O voi, dell’ incostante, HWV 105 0’57  
5 Handel Venti, fermate, HWV 105 2’42  
6 Handel Ma, che parlo, HWV 105 1’06  
7 Handel In tanti affanni miei, HWV 105 4’43  
8 Handel Tra le fiamme (1), HWV 170 5’51  
9 Handel Dedalo già le fortunate penne, HWV 170 0’54  
10 Handel Pien di nuovo e bel diletto, HWV 170 5’06  
11 Handel Si, si pur troppo è vero, HWV 170 0’15  
12 Handel Voli per l’aria, HWV 170 3’03  
13 Handel L’uomo che nacque per salire, HWV 170 0’22  
14 Handel Tra le fiamme (2), HWV 170 2’35  
15 Handel Figlio d’alte speranze, HWV 113 0’36  
16 Handel Troppo costa ad un’ alma, HWV 113 5’15  
17 Handel Era conforto, HWV 113 0’27  
18 Handel Sia guida sia stella, HWV 113 4’11  
19 Handel In cosi dir, HWV 113 0’16  
20 Handel Brillava protetto, HWV 113 2’41  
21 Handel Dunque sarà pur vero, HWV 110 1’02  
22 Handel Orrida, oscura, HWV 110 3’05  
23 Handel Ma, pria che d’empia morte, HWV 110 1’01  
24 Handel Renda cenere il tiranno, HWV 110 2’23  
25 Handel Si, sì del gran tiranno, HWV 110 1’24  
26 Handel Come, o Dio, HWV 110 1’56  
27 Handel Si, si s’uccida, HWV 110 1’43  
28 Handel Cada lacero e svenato, HWV 110 2’56  
29 Handel Se infelice al mondo visi, HWV 110 5’33  
30 Handel Trema l’ingato figlio, HWV 110 1’02  
31 Handel Su lacerate il seno, HWV 110 1’42  
32 Handel Ecco, a morte già corro, HWV 110 0’34  
    Total 74’41  
Download CD booklet (PDF)

“Enthusiastically recommended to Sampson’s many admirers and Handel lovers alike”
(Gramophone)

“This entrancing disc – Robert King’s consort is a British treasure”
(Otago Daily Times)

VIVAT 117
Abbandonata – Handel Italian Cantatas

Carolyn Sampson soprano
The King’s Consort
Robert King

Armida abbandonata, HWV 105
Tra le fiamme, HWV 170
Figlio d’alte speranze, HWV 113
Agrippina condotta a morire, HWV 110